In a dramatic development not much different from those seen in movies, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s younger daughter on Wednesday eloped with her boyfriend after marrying him against her parents’ wishes.

Srija married Sirish Bharadwaj, an engineering graduate, at the Arya Samaj ashram in New Bowenpally in Secunderabad and later the couple disappeared. A few friends of the couple attended the simple ceremony, which shocked the family of the Telugu superstar.

Chiranjeevi, one of the highest paid actors in India, had reportedly opposed Srija’s choice prompting her to marry her love without the consent of the family. The marriage was also telecast live by a Telugu television channel. Srija told reporters that she was in love with Bharadwaj, a resident of Hyderabad, for the last four years.
“On Wednesday morning I escaped from home and we got married. It is a legal marriage as I am 19 and he is 22,” she said. Srija is pursuing charted accountancy.

“We did not inform our parents about our marriage plans. This is not out of any disrespect for them. We had to do this because our families are against this inter-caste marriage,” Sirish said. hile Srija belongs to Kapu community, Sirish is a Brahmin.

The couple alleged that they had threat from Chiranjeevi’s family and sought help from police and the media. The bride added she also loved her father and hoped he would approve the marriage. The couple said they would meet Chiranjeevi to seek his blessings but did not turn up at his residence in the upscale Jubliee Hills till the evening.

The superstar’s family has been in news for a while. The marriage of the actor’s elder daughter Sushmita with actor Uday Kiran was cancelled at the last minute when Chiranjeevi’s family learnt that the groom was in love with another girl. Sushmita last year married a businessman from Chennai.