`Love in the time of war': Hyderabad groom, Ukrainian bride tie knot in true filmi style

It was a love story straight from Bollywood. Prateek of Hyderabad met Lyubov of Ukraine and it was love at first sight. Both decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Lyubov arrived in Hyderabad and took the wedding vows. Suddenly Russia invaded Ukraine.

Isn't it a perfect script for a movie? Well, this is not a reel-life drama but a real-life story. The bride is from Ukraine and the groom is from Hyderabad. Prateek and Lyubov had tied the knot in Ukraine and come to India to host the reception. Incidentally, the war broke out a day after they landed. Son of Mallikarjuna Rao and Padmaja, the groom is an alumnus of Osmania University's Biomedical Engineering Department.

Chilkur priest along with select devotees of Lord Balaji temple arrived in Hyderabad to bless the groom. Praying the war to end, he blessed a couple with a long-lasting togetherness, prosperity, health, and progeny. The priest has already held prayers at the 16th century Venkateshwara shrine for seeking an end to the Russian aggression