Bride-to-be Shilpa going through 'mixed feelings'

Shilpa Shetty, who is marrying London-based Raj Kundra on November 22, is facing pre-nuptial blues. She admits she is experiencing 'mixed feelings' as the D-day draws near.

"To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say I'm going through a lot of mixed feelings - happiness, excitement, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well," Shilpa posted on her blog shilpashettylive.com/blog/.

The 34-year-old actress is tying the knot with businessman Raj Kundra, whom she has been dating since 2007.

"Honestly, it still hasn't sunk in completely, it's a strange emotion, can't describe it. The only consolation is that I'm tying the knot with Raj - a man who lets me be and doesn't want me or my life to change and that erases premarital jitters," she said.

"Obviously marriage is a huge step and with it come responsibilities, and since I believe in the institution, so I hope and pray that I can make ours a success."

Shilpa says she has been busy with the wedding preparations for the past two weeks but is also trying hard to fulfill her professional commitments so that she can set out for a one-month honeymoon with Raj after the wedding.

She is currently shooting in Hyderabad for the last schedule of Indo-Chinese project Desire.

"I'm shooting in Hyderabad, everything had to be done before I'd left for this schedule. In the midst of Odissi rehearsals (can you believe it! Because I am shooting for a song here), (I'm handling) guests list, hotel arrangements, wedding planners, trousseau outfits, the list is never ending.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I will be shooting and dubbing till a week before the wedding. Got to finish all work commitments before I leave for a month after the wedding," she said.

The actress is now only hoping that her younger sister Shamita Shetty, who is a participant on reality show Bigg Boss 3, comes out to be with her in the "last few days at home".

Shilpa will have a quiet wedding ceremony with close friends and family on November 22 and has plans for a lavish reception two days later.

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Raj Gives Shilpa a Big Rock

Finally, Shilpa Shetty has become engaged to her beau Raj Kundra. I imagine Shilpa’s father thought he’d never get her off his hands! The event took place at Raj’s residence in Mumbai and was essentially a family affair - although of course Shamita was absent as she’s currently locked up in The Big Boss house.

“It's been a time of both joy and sorrow for me, the joy is obvious because Raj and I feel happy to take our relationship to the next level, but my sister Shamita is still in the Big Boss house and could not attend,” Shilpa blogged, “She doesn't even know but another good mahurat was a long way off and considering Raj's parents and relatives were down from London for a week, it seemed convenient.” Shilpa’s outfit for the engagement was designed by Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahiliani will design her wedding dress.

“I can't talk about the details of the outfits but I can tell you that she will look absolutely stunning,” he said at the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Show where he is preparing his collection for later this week. He has also promised to design her mehendi and sangeeth outfits as well. Raj presented Shilpa with an engagement ring valued at 3cr for their betrothal, but as Raj - the UK’s richest young British Asian - owns a gem company or two, it’s possible he was able to get a discount. Shilpa has to get back to work this week to finish Desire, the Indo-Chinese English-language film in which she stars opposite The Painted Veil’s Xia Yu. She then hopes to announce the wedding date.

"I know everyone's eager to know the wedding date,” she sais, “All I can say is YES, it's been finalised. We will make an official announcement as soon as I know when Shamita's coming out of the Big Boss house!"

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Shilpa’s vote takes a backseat due to IPL

While SRK made it a point to come to India from South Africa to vote, Shilpa Shetty unfortunately couldn’t get enough of her IPL commitments and instead skipped the voting procedure.

She says, “I just regret the fact that I won’t be in India to cast my vote; I really wanted to this time. Elections have to be taken seriously if you are a responsible citizen. Unfortunately with the unexpected turn of events and the IPL being shifted to SA it’s become difficult. I would not miss voting for anything otherwise.”

However she says, “But to all those Indian citizens who want the best for our country, now is the time to make the decision, don’t waste your democratic right to choose. Vote!”

Do you think Shilpa justifies herself by not voting?

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''Why is Rakhi Sawant talking like this?'' - Shilpa Shetty

This week has been really tough on Shilpa. First Jade Goody's traumatic adieu. Then a member of her own film fraternity Rakhi Sawant was heard telling TV channels that a contestant on Big Boss must have been changed because of Shilpa.

When questioned about Rakhi's allegation, Shilpa says she's appalled. "I don't even want to talk about her. But I was very hurt. I really like Rakhi . Why was she talking this way about me without knowing the facts? How does she know the facts about how contestants were chosen? I don't think it's right for anyone to shoot off her mouth in this way. You may have an outspoken image that you're always eager to uphold. But please don't flaunt that image at my cost."

Shilpa was also appalled by her effigies being burnt. Apparently, Ramdas Atahavle was approached to go into the house. He claims he was dropped because of Shilpa's manoeuvres.

The actress doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at this. "It's the channel's prerogative to select or reject a candidate. Until two days prior to the show, I didn't even know who was going. The format doesn't allow the host to know the contestants .Mr Athavle claims he was dropped on discriminatory grounds because he was a Dalit and Sanjay Nirupam was taken instead."

Shilpa is outraged. "Why was I being blamed if a candidate didn't make it into Big Boss? Why were they throwing stones at the channel Colors' office and burning my effigy? They even held a dharna in Lonavla in front of the Big Boss house. Why me? Every time I'm associated with something people try to use my name for their own purposes. Please leave me alone."

Taking a deep breath Shilpa laughs. "I think I should take all this attention as a compliment. But somewhere it does take its toll on my mental equilibrium. We all need to be more responsible about our duties as a citizen. My phone went ballistic on Tuesday. I'm in the midst of a dozen things and then to be badgered like this! I'm human and I don't like my name being constantly used. Don't hit where it hurts the most. I think they should start auctioning my effigies."

Laughs Shilpa, "But really, Rakhi Sawant takes the cake. What authority does she have to make such charges against me? I'd have Rakhi know that it's the channel's prerogative to decide the participants. I'm hired by the channel to do a job. My jurisdiction is to go on stage and host the show."

Shilpa wants police action against the practice of burning effigies. "It's really very sad that known people are subjected to this. It's very degrading?"

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