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Now that the wedding ceremony of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza is over there are lessons to learn for the nation, including our media which has covered every moment, glimpse and sentiment. In order to give a different flavour to the audience TV channels did not refrain from showing their bed, cushions, bathroom and even bed-sheets! It was embarrassing when Shoaib, in an interview to Express News criticised the media for interfering in his personal life to an extent that “he became the bodyguard of his wife” and added that the media “has made money out of his wedding” which is a “personal event”. Regardless of whether the couple is compatible or not, there is definite incompatibility between Sania Mirza’s perception of Pakistan and the perception of the press about the marriage. Although her body language was harsh towards the people and the press, our media gave her unprecedented coverage. The media called her the ‘daughter-in-law of Pakistan’ as a goodwill gesture, which she seemed to

The news of Sania's marriage with the former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik made the media speculate if it would open a new chapter in Indo-Pak ties. However, Sania said that her marriage has nothing to do with Indo-Pak politics. She added that she is happy as it's dream of every girl to find a suitable groom. Sania went on to say that she would continue to play for India even after marriage while Shoaib would play for Pakistan. She added that she would continue to support India during an India-Pakistan cricket match, and at the meantime support her hubby. The news of Sania's marriage with Shoaib shocked many when it hit the headlines a couple of days ago, as they are from rival countries. It is speculated that their wedding ceremony would be held on April 11 in Hyderabad, followed by reception in Dubai on April 15 and a grand reception in Lahore. However, the families of the couple are yet to fix a date for the wedding. It may be be recalled that Sania was earlier l

he real reason behind the Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik's unsuccessful 'walima' function here has emerged and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's son Abdul Qadir Gilani was reportedly in the middle of the storm. Earlier, media reports said that the 'walima' hosted by the Pakistani cricketer to celebrate his marriage with the Indian tennis stars was marred by unruly guests who wanted to take photos with the newly weds. However, the latest reports say that it was not unruly guests but Gilani Jr who was the reason behind the ruckus in the function in Lahore that forced to the cross-border couple to leave the function earlier than the scheduled to time. Geo News reported that the chaos started when the PM's son punched an unknown person who was trying to approach him for a photo op. The news channel has a video clip, which shows Gilani’s son pushing the unidentified man leading to further commotion at the party. Malik hosted the 'walima', which i

Sania Mirza’s wedding to Shoaib Mallik was the biggest story on every news channel just about a month ago. While few people think of tying the knot at 23, Mirza surprised the whole country with her decision. “I never really thought about it. I used to say that I would get married early, at around 24 or 25. I’m close to that age right now. I’ve always wanted to marry early, because I want to have children at a young age. I never thought about the age or month. It just happened,” she says proudly. Currently, the tennis ace and her hubby have been living in her Hyderabad home. Marriage doesn’t seem to have changed her life, but living with her husband has brought them even closer. “Life’s the same as it was before. Nothing has changed, except that we are living together. We don’t feel like we are married, though we’re really happy that we live together,” she adds. So far, very little was known or written about the couple. They’ve known each other for the past six years. In fact, newspaper

There has been speculation about Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram and actress Sushmita Sen ever since they hosted a reality show together on television around two years ago. At that time Akram’s marriage to Huma was going strong. But after her untimely demise in October last year, the rumours of a romance between them kept getting stronger, especially in the last couple of months. On Monday night, Wasim and Sushmita arrived together at a suburban nightspot and spent the evening in each other’s company, the first time they’ve made a public statement about their togetherness. Judging by the PDA (public display of affection) they indulged in, the relationship seems official now. An eye witness said, “Akram and Sushmita walked in hand in hand at around 11.30 on Monday night. They booked the bed-by-the-sea table and were seen relaxing. They seemed very comfortable in each other’s company. Later, a couple of Sushmita’s female friends also joined them. While Akram was acting coy, Sushmita

Latest buzz in town is that after Sania Mirza, another Hydrabad beauty, ex-beauty queen and actress Dia Mirza would tie the knot with Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar.However Dia Mirza denied the rumors. “The news of my wedding with Shoaib Akhtar is absolutely rubbish. It’s a figment of imagination.” Dia said. Dia asked media to make it known that she had nothing to do with Shoaib Akhtar and she doesn’t even know him. “I would like to get married and everybody will know it. As of now, I am not getting married to anyone.” Dia replied on her marriage plans. Interestingly, Pakistani media has publicized it on a high note that Shoaib Akhtar will soon marry Dia Mirza and bring her to Pakistan. While there is no reliable information from either of the families, news has spread like a wild fire and this new link up has become burning topic at all levels.

After her controversial marriage to Pakistan cricket star, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has revealed that she plans to retain her maiden name. "No matter what happens I am always going to be Sania Mirza. May be later I'll add his name," she said in an interview with People magazine. 23-year-old tennis star, who was accompanied by her husband, also said that she plans to only play for another three to four years. To a question on how the newly-weds are planning to deal with the fact that they might be away from each other most of the time, Shoiab said, "We are going to be together for a lifetime so it won't be very difficult to stay away from each other for a few weeks or months." Following this, Sania added, "Anyway, it's temporary. I'll probably play for another three to four years." Sania also revealed that Shoaib wants to live in Palm Jumeirah and that she has no complaints about the place. As to the honeymoon, Sania prefers Maldives, w

Lahore, Apr 28: For the second time, Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik were forced to leave their reception function earlier than planned as they were troubled by unruly guests. The groom Malik hosted a 'walima' or reception on Tuesday, Apr 27 in Lahore's Pearl Continental Hotel to celebrate his marriage to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. Sources revealed that the ceremony ended before the scheduled time after some guests began behaving in an unruly manner. The ceremony was cut short as the 'unruly' guests began forcing the newly-wed cross border couple to pose of photos. While Wasim Bari and Aamir Sohail were the only two test cricketers who attended the ceremony, the high-profile guest list included, prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's son Abdul Qadir, federal sports minister Aijaz Jakhrani, Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, and population welfare minister Firdous Aashiq Awan. However, the sources were of the opinion that the reception in Lahore was better organised

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik’s planned reception at a hotel to celebrate his wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has run into a trouble in view of an official ban on serving more than one dish at marriage functions. Shoaib has made arrangements for hosting a ‘walima’ (reception) for 500 people at the Pearl Continental Hotel on April 22 but official regulations have ensured that the cricketer cannot offer a variety of delicious dishes to his guests. The cricketer has asked the hotel’s management to prepare a chicken ’salan’ (dish with gravy) with rice, roti and nan. Besides, a separate vegetarian dish will be prepared for Shoaib’s guests from India. ‘Gulab jamuns’ and ‘ras malai’ will be served as dessert. According to Indian Media Reports, “We have a booking (by Shoaib) for 500 guests on April 22,” Pearl Continental’s public relations manager Alia Tariq was quoted as saying here on Wednesday. She said the hotel would have to implement the Punjab government’s order to serve on

Embattled Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on Monday came out with would-be wife Sania Mirza before a battery of mediapersons in Hyderabad to say that he was not going to leave India and would clear his name in the Ayesha episode. Shoaib made fun of Ayesha Siddiqui’s charge of being the lawfully wedded wife by challenging her to come before the camera. Sania said, she knew Ayesha’s family background and most respectable families in the city know about them. [/pullquote] Shoaib ruled out offering apology to Ayesha Siddiqui, saying that he was not in a position to divorce a lady whom he used to call Maha Apa (elder sister). Shoaib made fun of Ayesha Siddiqui’s charge of being the lawfully wedded wife by challenging her to come before the camera. If  she says, that she cannot come before camera because she is depressed, then how come she is giving 45 minute long interviews over phone to the news channels, queried Shoaib. Shoaib on his part asked the media to get Ayesha Siddiqui to co

The reception party of the newly married couple Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza at the Pakistani cricketer's hometown Sialkot was marred by mismanagement with some 2,000 people turning up as against 1,000 invitees. In their efforts to stop the "uninvited guests" who arrived to attend the reception held at a hockey stadium last night, private security guards did not even allow some of Shoaib's relatives and friends to enter the venue. Thousands of Sialkotees gathered outside Shoaib's house early on Sunday and danced to the beat of drums through the day and the hockey stadium was specially decorated for the festive occasion. Many residents of the city said Sunday was a special day for them as the people of Sialkot had been waiting for the arrival of the cricketer and his Indian bride. But there was chaos soon after Sania, clad in a green sari with gold brocade, and Shoaib, in a white sherwani, entered the venue at 9 pm. A local journalist said 1,000 guests were pr

Uninvited guests and security mismanagement marred Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik's reception in Sialkot, forcing the hassled newly-weds to leave the function before it was over. The reception was hosted by Malik and turned out to be a headache for his family since many uninvited guests showed up to take part in the celebrations at the Sialkot hockey ground. Added to this heavy security arrangements by the Punjab Police and the insistence of the local administration on enforcing the energy conversation measures also led to the problems during the function. A private channel 'Duniya' reported that tennis star Sania's family, which had arrived from India for the celebrations, left for Lahore early as they were upset at the mismanagement at the function. Eyewitnesses at the function said Shoaib and Sania, who were sitting on the stage and greeting the guests, also left before the function ended. "There is no reason known why they left but apparently there were prob

Two petitions were filed in Pakistani courts on Monday against cricketer Shoaib Malik for violating government rules on holding receptions and for the alleged sale of invitation cards for an event to celebrate his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. In a petition filed in the Lahore High Court, a man named Hasan Sheraz alleged that Shoaib had violated a ban on serving more than one dish at marriage functions and the government's order for such functions to be concluded by 10 pm. Sheraz further alleged that a ban on the use of decorative lights at wedding functions had been violated during a reception hosted for Shoaib and Sania in the cricketer's hometown of Sialkot last night. "Cricketer Shoaib Malik has committed both violations. The reception in honour of couple at Sialkot Hockey stadium continued till midnight and decorative lights were used in abundance," Sheraz contended. He asked the court to penalise Shoaib for flouting the government's orders. In

Pakistan's former cricket captain Shoaib Malik has pleaded with the media to stop the hype surrounding his marriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and allow them to live like a normal couple. Malik and Sania appeared together for the first time on a Pakistani channel tonight and the former said he was fed up with the hype over his marriage. "I am pleased to know that people are happy with our marriage but I think now it is time to stop this hype and let us live like a normal couple. I would request the media to leave alone both families," he said. Malik said since he and Sania had reached Pakistan he had spent most of his time being her personal bodyguard rather then her husband. "Two people from different countries got married and it should only be treated as a marriage nothing more," Malik told Ary News. Malik said while he was happy at the celebrations in Pakistan over his marriage but he was now tired of playing bodyguard to his wife in Pakistan.

Hyderabad: Sania Mirza marriage: Shoaib Sania walima will have 1200 guests in Lahore. Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and his newly acquired prize in the form of Sania Mirza would leave India soon. The couple had got married last week in the historical city of Hyderabad. The wedding reception was postponed due to his passport being impounded by Hyderabadi police. We know the background as to how it all happened and how Sania and Shoib were hounded by media and police Both the stars belong to two different countries and this cross border marriage had faced opposition from many quarters including mullahs, politicians and extremist elements in India. In country like India some group and political parties had supported them while others strictly opposed the decision of marrying a Pakistani player.  Many people had criticized Sania for not marrying an Indian Muslim. Everyone was quite excited to know the details and itineraries about their marriage. Media in fact had camped outs

The Lahore city police chief has assured full security cover during the wedding reception of cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza. "It is a case of high profile marriage. Therefore, we are making high-level security arrangements for the couple in Lahore," Geo News quoted Lahore City Police Officer (CCPO) Pervaiz Rathore, as saying. The star couple is scheduled to tie the nuptial knot on April 15 in Hyderabad, and the reception (Walima) is likely to be held on April 16 or 17 in Lahore. Earlier, the reception was planned for Sialkot, Shoaib's hometown, but it was shifted to Lahore as Sania was denied a visa for Sialkot by Pakistani authoritites. 

Newly-wed tennis star Sania Mirza said she will try to remain injury-free and her target will be to win medals in the Commonwealth and Asian Games later this year. Having turned a new chapter in her life after marrying Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Sania said tennis remained on top her agenda and she is focussing to do well in the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, followed by the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. “Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are coming up and those are my priority this year. I would like to be fit and healthy for these events,” Sania told PTI . “I’m especially eager for the Commonwealth Games because it is in India and it’s also going to be my first Commonwealth Games,” said the tennis ace. Looking ahead, Sania said she had not set herself any target as far as ranking was concerned and just wants to stay away from injuries. “I don’t have a target. I never had a target. I think the main target should be healthy and injury-free, which is very diff

AP Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik escorts his wife and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza as they arrive at a local hotel in Lahore, Pakistan on Friday, April 23, 2010.      Pakistan Tennis Federation President Dilawar Abbas, who created a stir by saying that Sania Mirza should play for Pakistan after marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, has been invited to the high-profile couple’s Valima reception in Lahore on April 27. Abbas said Sania’s father Imran had called him up and invited him for the function. “Imran said that he was grateful that the PTF had extended an open invitation to Sania to play in Pakistan whenever she came to Pakistan. He was happy at the respect given to his daughter,” Abbas said. Abbas had retracted his controversial statement insisting he was misquoted and he had said that Sania should play in Pakistan and not for Pakistan. “I stand by my statement that we would be delighted if Sania can take time out and play in our nation at events or hold coaching camps for ou

Many a man owes his success to his first wife and his second wife to his success. — Jim Backus Indeed behind many a successful man it seems there is more than one woman. The Sania-Shoaib-Ayesha saga finally ended with a whimper. Yet, just when the din had died down, rose another cry — Sania is Shoaib’s second wife. Hmmm ... had the media heard the word second wife for the first time? Dilip Kumar’s marriage to Saira Banu was rocked by the emergence of second wife Asma The appearance of a first wife created a controversy for singer Udit Narayan and spouse Deepa There are instances galore in Bollywood of filmmakers taking a prettier second wife.  (R) Producer Boney Kapoor, too, got a younger new wife in Sridevi Seriously, in a nation where even bigamy has been invariably accepted, particularly in the film industry, is there reason to fuss over the se