/> On Saturday 2 August just before Neena Gupta left for Shillong to perform her Hindi play Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak, Neena had a surprise post-wedding wedding (if one may call it that) a vibrant get-together with her close friends in attendance in Mumbai where Neena underwent a sangeet and mehndi ceremony.

Normally these elaborate ceremonies are undertaken days before the wedding.

"I know the mehndi and sangeet ceremonies happen before the wedding. I also know I'm past the age of such frolic and fun. But what to do? All my friends are young at heart, and so am I. They all wanted to be part of my marriage even if it was belatedly, " said Neena.

The actress, enthused by the response her play got in Shillong and Gauwhati, says she regrets the fact that her loved ones couldn't attend her shaadi in the US.

"My friends felt so left out. I feel bad about that. That's why I'm happy I went through the sangeet and mehndi ceremonies like in a proper wedding.

Never mind if it happened in the reverse order. The important thing is to enjoy what you do in life. And my friends had a ball on Saturday."

The highlight of Neena's very special evening was Ila Arun's singing. The amazing folk singer sang the wedding folk -songs of Rajasthan and played the dhol.

All of Neena's friends including filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi and Soni Razdan were on their feet dancing the night away to Ila's vibrant voice and rhythms.

Kalpana who applied the mehndi is still smiling about that special evening.

"Neena and I have been very close friends for decades. The mehndi I applied at her wedding festivities is still bright-red and wet on my palms.

She's courageous to have grabbed the chance to find domestic bliss at this age.That evening we all celebrated the vibrancy of love and marriage in our middleage. But then shared joy like this cuts across all barriers."

Shedding more light on the evening Kalpana says, "I was part of the bride's side. Soni Razdan, Neena, Ila and I have bonded since 1982 when we worked together in Shyam Benegal's Mandi.. Soni is married.And now Neena."

Adds Neena, "It was a memorable wedding after the impromptu wedding in the US. I told Kalpana she should've brought along the man she loves and undergone a wedding ceremony."