The highly private 2017 wedding of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in Tuscany, Italy, was a benchmark for celebrity nuptials, attended by only about 40 close friends and family. Despite stringent security measures, the event experienced an unexpected breach, as recently revealed by Yaseen Khan, founder of the security agency hired for the occasion.
The Maharaja-Style Intruder
In a recent interview, Khan recounted the bizarre incident. A man, described as being dressed "exactly like a maharaja," arrived at the exclusive venue in a BMW, accompanied by two bouncers in a separate Safari vehicle. Khan, who was on the main floor, learned of the suspicious entry from his team at the gate.
Initial suspicions from the security supervisor were unfortunately overridden by the event management staff, largely young trainees. Impressed by the gatecrasher's grand arrival in a luxury car, they mistakenly believed he was a legitimate guest and granted him entry to the ceremony.
Suspicious Behavior and Confrontation
Once inside, the man's behavior quickly raised red flags for Khan. Unlike genuine guests who would mingle, the intruder consistently stayed in corners, with his security guards attempting to photograph him with celebrities. This unusual conduct prompted Khan to investigate further.
When questioned, the man claimed to be the nephew of a prominent invitee who was unable to attend the Italy ceremony. Khan then approached Virat Kohli's manager, who confirmed that the alleged guest was only invited to the couple's Delhi wedding reception, not the Italian nuptials.
Armed with this information, Khan confronted the gatecrasher, informing him that only invited guests were permitted. After a brief show of "attitude," the man finally exited the premises, bringing an end to the security scare.
Other High-Profile Security Challenges
Khan also touched upon other challenging assignments, including the reception for Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in Mumbai. He described a chaotic scene where a coordination lapse led to crowds being misdirected, overwhelming the limited security detail. Khan himself sustained a dislocated shoulder during the struggle to manage the immense public pressure.