When Aishwarya Rai talked about how Abhishek proposed, the next day he along with family came home for Roka, said: "we all are coming, can't stop dad"

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan are one of the most celebrated couples in the Indian entertainment industry. Their wedding on April 20, 2007, became a landmark event in Bollywood, capturing the attention of millions. But the story of how their 'roka' (a pre-engagement ceremony) came to be is lesser-known and filled with spontaneity, confusion, and heartwarming moments that Aishwarya herself has shared with the public.

The traditional 'roka' ceremony is an important part of North Indian wedding customs, symbolizing the commitment between the two families. However, being South Indian, Aishwarya Rai wasn’t familiar with this particular ritual. During an episode of Famously Filmfare, Aishwarya opened up about the events that unfolded when the Bachchan family decided to hold the roka ceremony right after Abhishek’s proposal.

Aishwarya's Roka ceremony

In her candid recollection, she explained that the event took place unexpectedly and even without her father being present. At the time, her father was out of town, and the Bachchan family made their way to her home for the roka. Aishwarya shared, “I didn't even know there's something called a 'roka' ceremony. We are South Indians, so I don't know what a 'roka' is, and suddenly there is this call from their house to ours; 'we are coming.'”

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Abhishek's decision

The suddenness of the decision left Aishwarya in a whirlwind of emotions. She said, “Abhishek was like, 'We are all coming, and I can’t stop dad. We are on our way. We are coming to your place.' I’m like, 'Oh my God!'” It was at this point that Aishwarya realized that the roka was happening whether they were fully prepared or not.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this moment was that Aishwarya’s father was out of town. The absence of her father, who would have traditionally been present for such a significant ceremony, added another layer of confusion and emotion to the event. Despite the distance, her father remained part of the process through a phone call. Aishwarya recalled, “So, this 'roka' is happening with a call to my father, who is out of town.”

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Aishwarya's Roka happened without her father

This rush to proceed with the roka left Aishwarya and her mother, Brindya Rai, utterly bewildered. They didn’t know what was happening until the Bachchan family had already arrived at their home. Aishwarya confessed that both she and her mother were clueless, and amidst the proceedings, they shared a moment of astonishment as the ceremony took place.

“Mum is here, we are here. They've all arrived home, they are emotional and all,” she shared during her interview. In an amusing moment of realization, Aishwarya even turned to her mother during the roka and asked, “Mom, okay… is this… is this an engagement? Like, what just happened?”

The entire event was as surprising to Aishwarya as it was to those hearing the story later. In a beautiful blend of emotions, tradition, and spontaneity, the roka marked the formal acceptance of Aishwarya into the Bachchan family. This significant moment, though unplanned, set the tone for the beautiful journey that the couple would embark upon together.

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Aishwarya's new begining

Abhishek and Aishwarya’s relationship had already garnered a great deal of public interest, but this story of their impromptu roka only added to the couple's charm. The emotional, somewhat chaotic scene highlighted how love and familial bonds can sometimes transcend the need for meticulous planning.

Following the roka, the love and bond between the two families only grew stronger. Aishwarya quickly became a beloved member of the Bachchan family. Her mother-in-law, Jaya Bachchan, and father-in-law, Amitabh Bachchan, have always expressed their pride in welcoming Aishwarya into their family. She embraced her role as the daughter-in-law of one of Bollywood’s most famous families, and in 2011, Aishwarya and Abhishek welcomed their daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan.