Bollywood buzzing over Rai-Bachchan wedding

Mumbai is in a tizzy as preparations intensify for this week's nuptials of Bollywood superstars Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan an event being billed as India's wedding of the year.

The couple, two of Indian cinema's biggest stars, have been low-key about their relationship, engagement and upcoming wedding this Friday.

Friends and family have also asked the media to respect the couple's wish for privacy. However, the Indian media has been seeking out any and every detail about the traditional, multi-day celebrations, which are set to begin Wednesday.

The festivities will culminate Friday with the actual Hindu wedding ceremony, which will reportedly be more subdued because the groom's grandmother is ill.

Former Miss World to wear traditional sari

Designer Neeta Lulla told Mumbai newspaper DNA that Rai, a former Miss World who has gone on to Bollywood success, will wear a traditional, hand-embroidered sari with intricate gold designs on her wedding day.

Lulla said she designed some of Rai's outfits, while Indian designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla have created others.

The couple is also said to be preparing a choreographed dance routine that they will perform before friends and family a popular custom at Hindu weddings.

Media outlets are also speculating on everything fromthe invitations and the guest list to the couple's honeymoon plans.

According to reports, there will be approximately 500 police officers assigned to cover the wedding celebrations, part of which will take place at a residence owned by Bachchan's superstar actor parents, Amitabh and Jaya.

Rai and Bachchan, who have appeared in several films together, are considered one of Bollywood's most prominent power couples.

Dubbed "Abhiash" by local media, the Rai, 33,and Bachchan, 31,havegarnered a following among Indians and the world's South Asian diaspora that has been likened to the Western world's fascination with Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.