Bride wars: Manish Malhotra furious as Anushka chooses Sabyasachi for wedding

The industry is abuzz with an all-out sartorial war between designer Manish Malhotra and the newly married Anushka Sharma. The designer was conspicuous by his absence at the actress’recent wedding reception in Mumbai. A favourite with the film industry’s heavyweights, Manish is known for his bridal-wear. He’s also designed a number of outfits for Anushka in the past. However, the actress wore none of his creations at any of her wedding ceremonies.

So, what happened between the duo for things to go so sour that Anushka completely decided to boycott Manish? A source says that the feud goes back to the time of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Anushka had reportedly left the designer fuming when she said she didn’t like her bridal lehenga in the film. She even tweeted around the release, “Lehenga was too heavy. I was looking like a beautiful bride, and not feeling like a beautiful bride.” That didn’t go down well with Manish, who replied saying she looked beautiful. “But Anushka decided that she wouldn’t wear any of his outfits for her wedding. It was nothing personal. But Manish has taken it otherwise,” a source close to the designer says.

Anushka chose to favour Sabyasachi’s elegant designs throughout her wedding ceremonies and receptions, while Manish fumed. The source adds, “It’s ironic that everyone from Sridevi to Prer-naa Arora wore Manish Malhotra’s creations at the reception, but not the bride.”

Karan, as it turns out, is feeling the heat of the war. Says a little birdie close to Karan, “He is close to Anushka, and closer to Manish, who designs most outfits for Dharma Productions. The Anushka-Manish cold war has made Karan very uncomfortable. He’s made several attempts to sort out their problems. But at the moment, neither Anushka nor Manish is willing to make the first move.”