Episode 4
Indian weddings span several days. Ahead of his wedding, Nikhil is preparing for the haldi ceremony, where turmeric paste is applied by female relatives, symbolising purity, prosperity and fertility.
Indian weddings normally take place over several days, and as part of his wedding preparations, Nikhil is preparing his ceremony of haldi - Hindi for turmeric. A turmeric paste is smeared on the groom by the women in his family. The ceremony signifies purity, prosperity and fertility. Nikhil and his bride-to-be Prarthana's wedding is a £30,000 extravaganza financed solely by the groom. With the main rituals completed, it's time for the Marathi tradition, in which the bride's family can demand a ransom to release her. 'We want cash!', shout the bridesmaids. The business of love is booming in Mumbai.
Derby Day is an annual event at the iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai. It is India's most glamorous horse race and combines high-society fashion, food, music and elite thoroughbred racing. We learn that Anupam Mittal, the entrepreneur, has skin in the game, and his horse Democracy is one of the favourites for a race in this year's Indian Derby weekend. However, it's not a good day for Democracy - she comes second to last. But it's a better day for Aradhana, the former air steward and aspiring actress from Delhi who lands a job cohosting online TV coverage of the Derby.