Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on Monday was a grand affair as it not only witnessed the presence of foreign leaders but also celebrities from the film industry.
BJP leader Modi took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the capital on Monday.
The event was attended by more than 4,000 Indian and foreign notable personalities, including Bollywood celebrities, industry leaders including Ratan Tata, key leaders from the seven SAARC countries and members of the Parliament.
Film industry stalwarts including Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Lata Mageshkar, Rekha, Vivek Oberoi, Anupam Kher, Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan and others were invited to attend Modi's oath taking ceremony on Monday.
While some celebrities were present, some skipped the ceremony.
Tamil superstar Rajinikanth was invited to attend the event but the actor did not arrive.
The "Kochadaiiyaan" actor was out of town, due to which he skipped the event in Delhi, The Times of India reported, quoting sources.
Apparently, Rajinikanth decided of give the event a miss after a student outfit staged protests near his house on Sunday night, asking him to stay away from the ceremony which was also attended by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, TOI reported.
Apart from Rajinikanth, Tamil actor Vijay was also invited for the ceremony. During the Lok Sabha political rally, Modi had met actor Vijay when he visited Coimbatore.
However, it is not confirmed whether the actor will attend the event as he is yet to give his consent.
Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi has accepted the invite and will grace the ceremony on Monday. "It is a matter of great pleasure that Modi has extended his personal invite to me and I regard this as the greatest award I can get," Gopi told The Hindu.
Big B, who is the brand ambassador for Gujarat tourism, is also likely to attend as guest.
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who openly supported Modi during public events, is also invited. Evergreen actress Rekha, who is the member of Rajya Sabha, is likely to travel to New Delhi for the oath ceremony.
Among the celebrities who confirmed their presence include Kher, Madhur Bhandarkar, Oberoi and Akhtar.
"On my way to Delhi. Looking forward to the beginning of a new era. Jai Ho...#SwearingInceremony," Kher tweeted.
"I feel honoured & privileged to be invited to witness history in the making! Today will be a golden day to remember! @narendramodi #NaMoPm," Oberoi tweeted.
"Delhi beckons! Feel privileged, honoured & proud that I'll be able to witness in person the historic moment of swearing-in of Modiji today," Bhandarkar said.
