When Vijay Mallya performed the ‘Kanyadaan’ of a famous Bollywood actress during her marriage

Enterprise tycoon Vijay Mallya has as soon as once more made headlines—this time for causes that transcend cricket or courtroom battles. Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited IPL win, Mallya, the franchise’s authentic proprietor, took to social media from the UK to have fun the staff’s victory. However as followers revisit his legacy in sports activities and enterprise, a lesser-known private anecdote has caught public consideration—his surprising function at actress Sameera Reddy’s wedding ceremony.

In a 2014 interview with DNA, Sameera Reddy revealed that Mallya, who is expounded to her from her mom’s facet, carried out the kanyadaan ritual at her conventional Maharashtrian wedding ceremony to entrepreneur Akshai Varde. “Solely Vijay Mallya, who is expounded from my mom’s facet, gave me away to the groom. That aside there have been solely family and friends,” she mentioned on the time, describing the ceremony as intimate and devoid of any Bollywood razzle-dazzle.

A Marriage ceremony No One Noticed Coming

Sameera and Akshai’s wedding ceremony on January 21, 2014, was so personal that even her closest pals have been unaware. “Isn’t this the easiest way to do it?” she mentioned, explaining their resolution to pre-pone the marriage initially deliberate for April. “Months of painful planning causes a lot stress… Akshai mentioned, why not. I mentioned, why knot? Ha ha. And we mentioned, ‘I do.’ And I’m glad we did.”The ceremony was organised in simply 10 days by her sister Sushama. Sameera opted for a minimal look, requesting designer Neeta Lulla to decorate her in a easy South Indian sari with out jewelry. “I had spent 11 years of my life decking up on display screen. For my wedding ceremony, I wished a minimalist look. We lastly opted for a easy South Indian sari. I suppose that was the ‘Reddy’ facet asserting itself,” she added.

A Bond Solid By way of Bikes

The couple’s love story is equally unconventional. Sameera and Akshai bonded over their mutual love for bikes. “Akshai noticed me whizzing previous on this actually imply macho machine. I believe he was impressed,” she laughed within the DNA interview. Their relationship, she mentioned, blossomed away from the highlight. “I wished to marry outdoors the movie trade.”Akshai Varde, who owns a customized bike firm, had labored on a number of celeb bikes—together with actor Balakrishna’s superbike within the movie Legend. Their honeymoon, she revealed, was delayed because of his dedication to an auto expo, however a biking journey was at all times within the playing cards.

RCB Glory Revives Mallya’s Forgotten Connection

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL trophy after 18 seasons, Mallya expressed pleasure from afar. Although he misplaced management of the franchise in 2016 following mortgage default expenses value over ₹9,000 crore, his early selections—together with drafting a younger Virat Kohli in 2008—formed the staff’s id.

Sameera’s Quiet Comeback

Greater than a decade since her wedding ceremony, Sameera Reddy has stepped away from movies however stayed lively on social media, the place she shares household updates and physique positivity messages. In February 2025, she celebrated 11 years of marriage with Akshai by posting affectionate pictures on-line. She can be set to return to the large display screen in Anees Bazmee’s Naam – The Dyslexia Aadmi starring Ajay Devgn.