Over 12,500 applied. Only 16 bold men were chosen.
Among them, Elesh Parujanwala, a 30-year-old Gujarati from Canada who shipped off back to India for a chance to marry Bollywood Item Girl Rakhi Sawant on her ratings-grabbing reality show, Rakhi Ka Swayamvar (Rakhi’s Search For A Life Partner).
The young businessman has even left his family business in Toronto and is willing to relocate permanently to Mumbai if Rakhi chooses him to be her groom.
“He loves Rakhi’s desi jhatkas and is totally impressed with her frank and honest nature,” said a friend of Elesh. “If things work out between him and Rakhi, he is willing to leave Canada for good and settle in Mumbai.”
The Canadian bachelor survived the first round of cuts Monday on the nightly NDTV Imagine show, and at press time was one of 12 young men ranging in age from 21 to 32 who are vying for heart of the sexy star, who has toned down her infamous vixen image for her televised courtship and marriage.
According to Elesh’s friends, loneliness got the better of him and the young man felt the need for a life partner. And with Rakhi looking for a groom through a reality show, he felt he had a “good chance” of winning the woman he has admired in a dozen Bollywood hits.
Elesh Parujanwala is a graduate in acting and loves movies, cars, reading, arts and dancing.
And as his dashing white tuxedo clearly demonstrates, he has a certain flair for fashion!
For the hopeful NRI, speaking in Hindi is a bit of a hassle, but Elesh reckons he is a strong competitor for his would-be bride’s affections.
The majestic Fatehgarh Palace and the city of Udaipur, known for its timeless tales of love and valour, provide the picture-perfect backdrop to the show.
Announcing the launch of the TV series, the first of its kind in India, said Nikhil Madhok, VP Marketing and Communications, NDTV Imagine: “Rakhi’s dream is to get married like a princess. After an exhaustive round of auditions, we have finalized 16 potential grooms and have brought them together for the Swayamvar (courtship) in the beautiful city of Udaipur at the Fatehgarh Palace.
“The show has some very exciting elements and is sure to capture the imagination of audiences as Rakhi begins her special journey of finding her life partner.”
Rakhi Ka Swayamvar will sketch the matrimonial journey of Rakhi. Over the duration of the show, the prospective grooms will be brought together under one roof and put through a series of challenges that have been created along criteria identified by Rakhi herself.
The grooms will showcase their personality, character; physical fitness and talent, all in an endeavour to demonstrate their love for Rakhi. Eventually Rakhi will tie the knot with one lucky guy in a grand ceremony during the series’ finale.
One of Indian television’s best known actors, Ram Kapoor, serves as the host on Rakhi Ka Swayamvar. Ram will multi-task as Rakhi’s friend, philosopher and guide. Additionally Rakhi’s celebrity friends will also come on the show and help her make the right decision.
All through the series, viewers will help Rakhi decide, by voting for or against the prospective bridegrooms.
Said Rakhi at the show’s launch: “I am very nervous and excited at the same time. This is such an important decision and I hope I am able to find the right man who will be my partner through the rest of my life.
“I am relying on my friend Ram and all my well wishers to help me through this important phase in my life. Udaipur and the Fateh Garh Palace are such wonderful and beautiful locations and I could not have dreamed of a better place for my swayamvar.
“I have briefly met all the prospective grooms and they are all very nice but I really can’t say right now as to who will be my final choice. But I have faith in God that I will be able to make the right decision. Please pray for me.”
Rakhi, who is the same age as her Canadian suitor, is well known in India as a dancer, film and television actor and as a talk show host.
She was still in school when director Suneel Darshan offered her an Item Number opposite Govinda in Joru ka Gulam. Three years later, she auditioned four times before winning her breakthrough Item Number “Mohabbat hai Mirchi” in Chura Liya Hai Tumne in 2003.
Today, her image – often scantily clad – graces billboards and websites throughout India and beyond.
Her new reality TV series is based on the traditional Hindu practice of swayamvara whereby a procession of suitors approaches the family of a young woman, who ultimately places a garland around the man she would like to wed.
In Rakhi’s case, 12,515 suitors applied for her hand in marriage in the Indian version of ABC’s The Bachelorette.
Rakhi was reportedly stunned by the response.
“I want to thank everybody for their continued support,” she said. “This huge response has proved to everybody that my ’swayamvara’ and ‘shaadi’ (wedding) is not a joke. My only wish is to find a person who will always be my support system and will respect me for what I am.”
Elesh has already and repeatedly proclaimed his affections for Rakhi, saying he loves her for exactly the woman she is – sassy, forthright and “unpredicatable.”
Now he must ride the roller coaster of emotions, tribulations and trials in his quest for her coveted marriage garland.

By Mata Press Service