Sonia-Rajiv Gandhi: 58 Years of Marriage, Father's Unique Condition & Bachchan Connection

• Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi celebrate 58 years of marriage on February 25, 1968, marking Sonia's journey from 'Cenerentola' to a prominent Indian political figure.
• Sonia's father, Stefano Maino, initially opposed the marriage due to concerns about her adapting to Indian life and set a unique condition: a year of separation to test their resolve.
• The couple first met in Cambridge, where Rajiv was a student and Sonia was studying English; their first movie together was Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali'.
• Indira Gandhi met Sonia in London and, conversing in French, decided she would be a suitable daughter-in-law for the family.
• Before their wedding, Sonia stayed with the Bachchan family in India, where a brief Mehndi ceremony was held, and Amitabh Bachchan became her first friend in India.