India’s controversial item girl, actress Rakhi Sawant chose Toronto-based NRI businessman from Canada Elesh Parujanwala as her “life partner”. The India’s first televised reality “Rakhi Ka Swayamvar” bringing to an end the month-long ’swayamwar’ drama that kept millions of viewers hooked to their TV screens.

During the past one month of the modern-day ‘Swayamvar’, there were a list of 16 contestants in 26 episodes in which 3 contestants entered into final stage. The 16 contenders had written poetry, serenaded her with songs, arm wrestled and even walked on burning coals to show their love for her. Parujanwala was among the top three finalists who waited anxiously to be 30-year-old Rakhi’s suitor. The other two finalists were young aspirant Manas Katyal and businessman Chhitiz Jain, both from New Delhi.

The wait is finally over. Euphoria gripped the entire nation as Rakhi Sawant created history when she made her decision on her Swayamvar. The audiences waited with bated breath for her final decision which was announced in a song and dance extravaganza that was transmitted live. Decked up in red and gold lehenga-choli by Neeta Lulla and kundan jewellery, Rakhi looked a perfect bride. Elesh, Manas and Chhitiz too were dressed for the occasion — in traditional sherwanis and turbans.

In the dramatic finale, she garlanded Elesh — as the audience clapped on. Romance was high in the air as Rakhi and Parujanwala said ‘I Love You’ to each other while exchanging rings and vows during the glittering ceremony attended by the boy’s family members, besides noted choreographer Saroj Khan and celebrities from the TV world.

Underlining that she needed more time to know him better, heavily bejewelled Rakhi said, “Today, we are getting engaged because both of us need some time together before we get married.”

Giving reasons why she selected Parujanwala, Rakhi said “He is honest.” She added, “I have been watching Elesh from day one. On and off the camera, he has been the same and has really taken care of me. He is everything I was looking for and I am glad to have found him on the Swayamvar. The swayamvar means finding a jeevan saathi (life partner) and I have found Elesh.”

“Today is our engagement. I am ready to get married now, but we need to understand each other better off camera. We will soon get married in front of all of you in keeping with all our traditions,” Rakhi said after announcing her choice to a waiting audience across the country.

The colourful event, held at the Hotel Leela Kampinsky here Sunday, saw a host of celebrities like choreographer Saroj Khan, actors Ravi Kishen and Ram Kapoor, who posed as brothers to the bride, apart from others like Smita Bansal and Sudha Shivpuri in the audience.

The much-hyped finale of Rakhi Sawant’s ’swayamvar’ on NDTV Imagine gave the channel its highest Television Rating Points (TRPs) ever since its launch in January 2008. According to overnight audience measurement agency aMap, it has been the highest TRPs so far for the channel.

Also see:

  » Rakhi Sawant and Elesh Parujanwala Engagement Stills 2

  » Rakhi Sawant and Elesh Parujanwala Engagement Stills 1

Tags: Actresses, Bollywood, Events, Rakhi Sawant