Bollywood welcomes Oprah

After Tom Cruise and socialite Paris Hilton, it was Oprah’s turn to take Mumbai by storm. Talk Show queen Oprah Winfrey was given a grand welcome on Monday as she arrived at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai.

The first few hours of her visit were every bit eventful as she was ushered into the hotel by visually challenged children from a local school who sung her a beautiful Sanskrit song. Sources say Oprah was so touched by the welcome that she hugged the kids tight!

The evening was meant for the grand Bollywood bash where Parmeshwar Godrej hosted a grand party for her at the plush Godrej residence in Juhu. The 57-year-old media icon hobnobbed with celebs such as filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Rajkumar Hirani, Anupam Kher, Shipa Shetty, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and many others.

Oprah, dressed in a bright orange sari, perhaps wanted her day to end on a memorable note as she spent hours after twilight at the Bachchan residence Jalsa. Later, the lady left the house in a car driven by Big B himself and was kept entertained by Aishwarya Rai who had appeared twice on her chat show.

It is believed that apart from catching up with her good friend Ash Winfrey was keen on seeing the latest addition to the Bachchan household, Beti B!

Oprah is on a tour of India not only to meet her B’wood friends but also to shoot an interview with spiritual guru Deepak Chopra for her new show and speak about her love for reading at the upcoming Jaipur Literature Festival.

T’town celebs meanwhile took to Twitter to express their elation on meeting Oprah.

Big B wrote "The gracious Oprah Winfrey visits our home, to meet us and bless the baby…warm hearted, endearing…drive her to party in her honour. And Oprah in sari…looking lovely!!"

Preity Zinta tweeted : “Tonight was dinner at the Godrej House wid Oprah Winfrey . Nice 2 see her wear a beautiful sari :-) Also nice 2 see Ash out after so long.”

Sameera Reddy said “My God! Oprah Winfrey is the warmest most down to earth person I have ever met! What a personality! I'm thrilled!"