Bollywood actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza wed

Mumbai, Feb 3 (PTI) In true Indian band baaja baarat style, Bollywood actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza tied the knot today according to the traditions of the western state of Maharashtra in the presence of Bollywood and political biggies. The marriage came at the end of an eight-year-long courtship with Riteish (32) and Genelia (24) taking their vows around a sacred fire at the suburban Grand Hyatt hotel. The groom, wearing a white sherwani and red 'feta' (turban), entered the hotel riding a white 'ghodi' (mare). Genelia wore a red and gold lehenga designed by Ritu Kumar. The 'baaraat' (groom party's procession for the wedding venue) started from the grounds near Grand Hyatt. Amidst the singing and dancing, Riteish, with his face covered with a 'sehra' (flower veil), waved excitedly while sitting on the horse. The actor's father and a minister in Indian government Vilasrao Deshmukh was dressed in a brown sherwani. Indian ministers Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel and Subodh Kant Sahay were among the political figures present at the wedding. Cine world guests present included Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol and Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Sajid Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker, Sajid Nadiadwala, Satish Shah, Asin, Jacky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Ramesh Taurani, Nishka and Neeta Lulla. Riteish took to Twitter last night, saying, "Saw the Last sunset as a Bachelor." And soon after the wedding, the actor took to Twitter to post a photo of him and Genelia, with the caption, "MR & MRS DESHMUKH". The wedding capped three days of festivities that included sangeet, haldi, mehndi ceremonies and a traditional bachelorette party for Genelia. The reception will take place tomorrow at the same hotel. Riteish and Genelia have been seeing each other since their Bollywood debut, 'Tujhe Meri Kasam' in 2003 but they chose to be secretive about it. They finally opened up about their relationship last year. The couple will be seen romancing in their forthcoming Hindi film 'Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya' that will hit the theatres on February 24. PTI