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The Swiss bliss

The overwhelmed Switzerland Tourism honours Bollywood stars

Bipasha Basu with Amitabh Bachchan (above) and Shahrukh Khan with Yash Chopra at the event (belo

The `Switzerland-Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' formal dinner held at Hotel Taj Lands End, Mumbai recently witnessed the who's who of Bollywood in full attendance. The reception, graced by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, as Chief Guest, and Marco Solari, Switzerland Tourism Board Member, as Guest of Honour, was to felicitate Yash Chopra's blockbuster DDLJ's unit for the successful running of their film for over 500 weeks. It was hosted by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai and Switzerland Tourism and saw mementos being presented by the two luminaries to the movie's director and his executive producer wife, Yash and Pamela Chopra, megastar Shah Rukh Khan, talented actress Kajol and singing legend Lata Mangeshkar. A moment of poignancy reigned when the awards for the late Anand Bakshi and late Amrish Puri were collected by their sons.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, among the numerous films to be shot in the scenic locales of Switzerland, was the first blockbuster Hindi film to feature non-resident Indians. The invitation for the evening - actually a letter from Raj to Simran - revolved around the story of the two teenagers falling in love with each other. The connection between the stupendous record of over non-stop 500 weeks from its release - incidentally, on the 25th anniversary of Yash Raj Films (October 1995) - and blissful Switzerland seemed somehow romantically destined!

That the Swiss were serious in their intentions to woo Mumbai's film world was evident from the tastefully decorated sets depicting the impressive Swiss Alps, huge cowbells and the sound of the despondent Alp horn. Colourful Swiss-costumed staff circulated delicious Swiss wines and even Swiss beer and mineral water - to the guests chatting over an impressive photo exhibition of Swiss mountains, nibbling on an assortment of yummy Swiss cheese.

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