Composer-director Palaash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, have made their first coordinated public gesture since the sudden postponement of their wedding, which was scheduled to take place on November 23 in Sangli.
The ceremony, anticipated by fans, the entertainment industry and sections of the cricket community, did not go as planned. Both families issued a brief explanation that the event was postponed due to health reasons, without elaborating. The lack of clarity has fueled widespread online speculation, with social media users suggesting the reasons may be deeper than what has been officially communicated.
Against a backdrop of conjecture, scrutiny and misinformation, both Mandhana and Muchhal appeared to have made a deliberate and concerted move online. Almost at the same time, the pair updated their Instagram bio and added just one symbol — nazar (evil eye) emoticon..
There was no statement, no comment, and no attempt to directly address the rumors. Instead, the symbol – traditionally used across South Asia to ward off negativity and ill will – became the couple’s first visible act together since discussions of their delayed wedding began to dominate online chatter.
