Malhotra and Mrs Bachchan create bridal magic

Manish Malhotra got the HDIL India Couture Week off to a grand start with his bridal collection.

Flickering diyas, muted lamps, grand arches and marigold flower arrangements set the mood for Manish Malhotra's grand opening at the HDIL India Couture Week in Mumbai yesterday.

Debuting his latest bridal line, the veteran designer offered up velvet lehengas with antique gold zardozi work, saris with pin tuck detailing and kalidar kurtas for women and Raja coats, bandhgalas and Turkish pants for men, all in a flurry of royal colours ranging from rich wine to jade green and flaming red.

The feather in Malhotra's cap was that he got the lovely Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to make a comeback to the runway, after a gap of 15 years and she looked as resplendent as ever.

But going back to the beginning, here's what came before. Model-actress Lisa Haydon opened the show in a ravishing white floor-length net kurta with seductive cutaway back.

Seen here is a rich red and gold lehenga with matching dupatta and tiny choli in contrasting brown.

A silk kurta swirls in bright fuschia tones, with embroidery at the borders.

For the men, the designer offers up a luxurious, well-fitted sherwani with muted gold floral motif.

Tinu Verghese steps out wearing a low-cut, free-flowing number in emerald green, with matching jewellery. The baubles on display, from Anmol Jewellers, caught many a fine lady's eye!

White Turkish pants perfectly offset this exquisitely-tailored, matte gold sherwani jacket with distinctly ethnic detailing.

Finally, Aishwarya makes her grand entrance in a white corset, teamed with kalidar lehenga and dupatta embellished with antique zari paisleys.

Manish is all smiles as he escorts Ash down the ramp, arm-in-arm.