Swimmer turned actor Puja Banerjee, last seen in the just wrapped up Life OK fantasy show Nagarjuna, is waiting with bated breath for her upcoming big fat wedding with swimmer Sandeep Sejwal. “It will be a four days affair in Delhi ending with the marriage ceremony on 28th Feb. A  mix of Jat and Bengali rituals, while the   wedding ceremony will be in traditional Jat style. The same evening  will  also see  a bachelor bash but in the traditional style. Here the bride eats her last meal with her family for the next day she fasts. I will be eating though, for I can’t stay hungry.  In the same event all my single female friends will be seated next to me dressed in red saris giving an indication to society that they are available for marriage next. I too will be dressed in the proper Bengali wedding sari, for I will be wearing a ghaghra choli for the wedding ceremony (Jat style). This  event will be followed by a  DJ ‘ s night, where I will obviously be dressed in a gown.”

Going on she says, “The haldi event will be held the next day where all the married ladies will apply turmeric on me, they will be given specially cooked fish and mutton. The main wedding ceremony will be Jat style i.e. pag phera, followed by  typical  capital city  style reception.  We will then take off for a honey moon,  details of which have been kept a secret  by Sandeep.”

Puja is both excited and busy.“  For I  am doing  all the preparations myself.  My recent engagement was also a hands on  job, for  I want things my way. I specially  went all the way to Kolkata to get the saris for the Bong occasions. The haldi sari is from  Bangladesh. This type of garment is normally not worn by women outside West Bengal.”

In closing Puja adds  that  she expects most of her Nagarjuna and previous show Swim Team actors to attend the wedding. “Quite  a few of them have already booked  their tickets.  Having said  that given  that it is not in Mumbai , all in my list  might not eventually  turn up, but that is quite understandable. ”

- Anil Merani