In the wake of the postponed wedding of her brother, Palash Muchhal, to Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, singer Palak Muchhal has addressed the swirling controversy, describing it as a "very tough time" for her family. The wedding, initially scheduled for November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra, was called off due to a sudden health emergency involving Smriti Mandhana's father, Shrinivas Mandhana.
Palak Muchhal took to Instagram to share a brief statement, requesting privacy for both families during this sensitive period. "Due to Smriti's dad's health, Smriti and Palash's wedding has been put on hold," she wrote. Her message, released a day after the ceremony was halted, marked the first public comment from the Muchhal family.
The situation became further complicated when rumors of infidelity involving Palash Muchhal began circulating online. These rumors included alleged leaked chats between Palash and another woman, as well as claims of him being seen with someone else before the wedding. These allegations remain unverified by either Palash or Smriti. Fueling the speculation, Smriti Mandhana removed all her wedding-related posts from social media, including her engagement announcement and pre-wedding photos.
Adding to the family's distress, Palash Muchhal was also briefly hospitalized. According to his mother, Amita Muchhal, Palash was deeply affected by Shrinivas Mandhana's illness and insisted on postponing the wedding until he recovered. She mentioned that the emotional stress led to Palash requiring an IV drip and other tests.
Amidst the controversy, choreographer Gulnaaz, who was linked to the wedding preparations, clarified that she and her friend Nandika Dwivedi had no involvement in disrupting the couple's relationship. Similarly, Palash's cousin, Neeti Tak, defended him on social media, urging people not to judge him without knowing the truth and highlighting his critical condition.
Smriti Mandhana's manager, Tuhin Mishra, stated that the cricketer is very close to her father and has decided to postpone the wedding indefinitely until he recovers. He noted that Shrinivas Mandhana showed symptoms of a possible heart issue while having breakfast on the day of the wedding. He remains under observation in the hospital.
The postponement of the wedding has led to a flurry of reactions on social media, with many expressing concern for Shrinivas Mandhana's health and offering support to Smriti. Palak Muchhal's statement reinforces the family's priority: Shrinivas Mandhana's recovery. No new date for the wedding has been discussed, and the families are hoping for understanding during this sensitive time.
