LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT IS OVER TODAY, NOW WAIT FOR THE MARRIAGE ON AUGUST 26

The most talked-about engagement in Andhra Pradesh uniting the two families -- the Nara family and the Nandamuri family -- got underway in the morning. , according to sources, it was a very simple and traditional affairs. It was Balakrishna who called the shots right from the word go. First, it was the filmi crowd that formed the invite list. And there were hardly any politicians.

Two, junior NTR came, saw, and left in a huff. It is rumoured that he was given the royal snub with no one giving him a damn. While others, however, claim that he was in a hurry to go for the shooting of Yamadonga, which is currently happening in Hyderabad. But, if it is such an important ceremony, for whose recognition junior NTR is desperately groping , wouldn't he cancel his shoot? This is all bull, and we know that they didn't take NTR's walking in with a warm smile.

It was a heavily-guarded affair blanketed by a posse of prive security guards. No journalists, not even those closest to either Balakrishna or Chandrababu Naidu were invited for the engagement ceremony. Inquisitive onlookers however, thronged to see from a distance if they could get a peek into the ceremony. But with so much security, I wonder even if the guests were able to catch on what was happening inside.

Balakrishna's house in Jubilee Hills was bustling with activity with an entourage of motrocades wheezing in and out of the premises. The guest list included: the Ramanaidu family, Nagarjuna family, Krishnam Raju family, all the Nandamuri brothers and cousins, the ANR family, the poet-laureate of Andhra C Narayana Reddy, among others. Chiranjeevi was conspicuous by his absence, and instead Allu Arvind made his presence felt.

Rammurthy Naidu, brother of Chandrababu Naidu, who said he wouldn't have anything to do with his brother's son's wedding, has come because he was called by Balakrishna. He came with the Nara family from his native place.

As was expected, and runoured, Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao and Purandareshwari played the achor role in the ceremony.

The ceremony got off to a start with the Chandrababu Naidu and his relatives went to Balakrishna's house in a Volvo. Chandrababu set aside his gruff looks for a while, and was laughing away most of the time.

The wedding will take place on August 26, 8.21 am.