Music composer Palash Muchhal was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Monday, marking his first public appearance after the sudden postponement of his wedding to Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana. The couple's highly anticipated nuptials, scheduled for November 23, were called off at the last minute due to serious health issues in both families.
Airport Sighting Amidst Speculation
Palash Muchhal arrived at the Mumbai airport accompanied by his mother, Amita, and other family members. He was seen exiting the terminal dressed in all-black attire and carrying a book, flanked by security personnel. While he maintained a low profile and a reserved demeanor, he did not shy away from the waiting photographers, acknowledging them with a simple nod but avoiding any conversation.
His mother was observed interacting with people in the arrival area. This public sighting comes amid intense speculation and discussion on social media platforms following the unexpected announcement of the wedding delay.
Reason Behind the Wedding Postponement
The wedding was postponed due to consecutive health emergencies in both families. On the original wedding day, Smriti Mandhana's father, Shriniwas Mandhana, was hospitalized. The very next day, Palash Muchhal himself required medical attention and was admitted to a hospital in Sangli before being transferred to Mumbai for further treatment and rest.
Mandhana's manager officially confirmed the delay, citing these health crises as the sole reason. Both Shriniwas Mandhana and Palash Muchhal have since been discharged from the hospital and are reportedly recovering well. The families have not yet announced a new date for the ceremony.
Social Media Clues and Team Support
In the wake of the postponement, Mandhana removed wedding-related posts from her Instagram account, though some casual pictures with Palash remain on his profile. Social media users noted that both Mandhana and Muchhal have added the 'nazar' (evil eye) emoticon to their Instagram bios, a move often interpreted as a protective gesture.
Showing solidarity, Team India batter Jemimah Rodrigues left the ongoing Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season to be with her teammate Smriti Mandhana during this challenging period. This show of support highlights the close-knit nature of the women's cricket team.
The wedding delay follows shortly after India's triumphant campaign in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, where Smriti Mandhana played a pivotal role. In a statement to Hindustan Times, Palash's mother, Amita Muchhal, expressed the family's sentiment, saying, "Smriti and Palash are both in distress... Palash dreamt of coming home with his bride. I had even planned a special welcome... Everything will be fine, the wedding will happen very soon." Family members from both sides have reiterated that the postponement was solely due to the health emergencies and have requested privacy.
