Celebrity weddings are often spoken about for days. Every couple opts for their own dreamy vibe for their special day. While Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor opted for a cosy intimate wedding in their balcony, some celebs choose for fairy-tale like destinations. One such unforgettable celebration was that of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, who tied the knot in 2018 at the dreamy Lake Como in Italy. Recently, renowned mehendi artist Veena Nagda, who worked closely with the couple during the festivities, reminisced about the five magical days she spent with them.Veena, a staple in Bollywood’s wedding circuit and the top choice for high-profile bridal mehendi, shared the behind-the-scenes moments in a chat with Filmibeat Prime. Recalling how her journey to Deepika’s wedding began years before the actual ceremony, she said, “During Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, I had done the mehendi art for Deepika, and she liked it so much that she promised to hire me for her own marriage. She kept that promise, and her staff contacted me before her wedding to Ranveer.”What followed was an unexpected delight for Veena and her team. “They told me that booking arrangements had been made for all 5 days, and I asked them, ‘The mehendi ceremony is just one day, so why am I staying for all 5?’ But they told me that the booking is for all 5 days, and because of that, I and my team travelled to Milan, and we even saw Switzerland. I can never forget that experience.”While Deepika fulfilled a five-year-old promise, it was Ranveer who added his own charm to the event. Veena spoke fondly of the actor’s infectious energy and described how his presence transformed not only the mood but even the weather. “No words can do him justice. It was very cold in Lake Como, and I was wondering how Deepika and I were going to get through the intricate design we had planned for her. Ranveer came around after an hour, and the entire climate changed. The sun came out, and he really lit up the room.”Adding to the warmth of the memory, she recalled a moment that left a lasting impression. “He was joking and laughing with everyone, and he addressed me personally while I was doing Deepika’s mehendi and said, ‘A queen is doing the mehendi for another queen.’ I will never forget those words.”Ranveer also requested a meaningful touch to his own mehendi design. Instead of using Deepika’s full name, he opted for a subtle tribute. “He got Deepika’s name in the mehendi but used only ‘Deep’ and three more stars. One for her, a second for her mother and a third for her sister,” Veena shared.As one of the most in-demand mehendi artists in the film industry, Veena was naturally asked about her charges. But she preferred to keep the details vague. “The payment depends on a lot of varying factors, the size of the design, and specifications given by the bride. Customised designs are a bit more costly, but they are usually under Rs 1 lakh.”
