Celebrations kick off at Sania''s residence

HYDERABAD: With controversy and uncertainty taking a backseat, celebrations have finally begun at the residence of tennis star Sania Mirza, who is going to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on April 15.

The mood of tension and anxiety prevailing at Sania''s house at Jubilee Hills for the past few days has now turned into that of celebrations as the arrival of relatives and friends began.

The wedding invitations are in the process of being distributed and around 1000 guests were expected for the reception.

Shoaib''s mother, brother, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew have already arrived in the city from Pakistan. Few more family members of Shoaib Malik are expected to arrive soon from Germany. The official celebrations would begin on April 13 with ''Sangeet'' ceremony in which all of Sania and Shoaib''s loved ones will perform.

Last night, the two families played dumb charades and anthakshari. Chinese cuisine one of the favourite of both the bride and bridegroom was made by Sania''s aunts and served for the dinner.

Sania was in the mood to have some bhelpuri but due to media''s presence outside the house, she had to remain content by eating it at home as her cousins and sisters helped her to get it from a local shop. The day ended with a usual strength of caroms with Sania''s mother Naseema and Shoaib hogging the limelight.

Congress President Sonia ++++hi had sent best wishes to Sania''s parents as well as to the would-be bride and bridegroom.

Shoaib''s outfit has arrived from Delhi. He will be wearing a ''sherwani'' made by Shantanu and Nikhil. Sania''s uncle Talat Aziz has very graciously agreed to render ''ghazal'' for the ''sangeet''. All of Sania''s friends have just left after a tiring but fun session of dance rehearsals for the ''sangeet''.