Frenzied crowd greets Salman in Mandi

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 25

A frenzied crown greeted Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in Mandi today.

The “Dabangg” specially arrived in the town to attend the wedding reception of his younger sister Arpita Khan and brother-in-law Aayush Sharma. Aayush is the son of local MLA and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anil Sharma and grandson of former Telecommunications Minister Sukh Ram.

People of the town, especially the youngsters, were elated when they came to know their favourite Bollywood star was coming to Mandi. A large number of people, a majority of them youth, lined up outside the hotel where Salman was to be arrived this morning to have a glimpse of their favourite actor. After landing at Sundernagar from a chopper along with his brother Sohail Khan, the actor reached Mandi by road at 12.45 pm. As the huge crowd greeted the actor outside the hotel, the actor stopped and waved at the crowd before entering the hotel.

He arrived at the venue of the reception at the historic Paddal Ground at 3.15 pm, where a huge crowd had been waiting for him in the sultry sun for many hours. However, the security forces had a tough time in controlling the crowd. As the actor, dressed in a blue shirt and black suit, arrived at the venue, the ecstatic fans burst into shouting Salman, Salman…. And he patiently acknowledged their applause. Arpita, who was wearing a red sari, arrived at the venue with her husband Aayush. Other members of the Khan family, including Salma Khan, Alvira and Sohail Khan also reached there.

A cultural programme was also organised where local artistes present a “Nati” and other local folk songs.

Addressing the crowd, the actor said Aayush’s love brought Arpita to Mandi and Arpita’s love brought them to the town. “Now Arpita is your sister or daughter-in-law and she will now stay in Mandi and Mumbai,” he said.

After bidding adieu to the fans, the actor left for lunch at 3.45pm.

Salman’s mother Salma Khan and sister Alvira had arrived in the town last night and in the morning, they went the Tarna Mata temple and the under-construction house of the Sharmas at Bari Ghumana near here. Later in the evening, Salman also went to the see the under-construction house where the Sharma family yesterday performed a ‘havan’.

The family would fly back to Mumbai tomorrow.

Arpita tied the knot with Aayush Sharma on November 18 last year in Hyderabad. Aayush is also eyeing a career in Bollywood.