Rima Kallingal with Aashiq Abu (Facebook/Rima Kallingal)
Rima Kallingal with Aashiq Abu (Facebook/Rima Kallingal)Facebook/Rima Kallingal

Malayalam actress Rima Kallingal entered into wedlock with director Aashiq Abu in Kerala on Friday (1 November)

The actress-director duo had earlier decided not to have a grand wedding, and hence tied the knot in the presence of family members and relatives at the Sub-Registrar's office near Kochi. CPI(M) MP, P Rajeev, was also present at the registers office. The couple signed the register, exchanged garlands and then took wedding vows, reported Press Trust of India.

Hours before the marriage, Rima had posted a message on her Facebook page saying, "Today if my grandmother was alive she would have been ecstatic to see me as a bride but at the same time heart broken to see me not decked up in gold from head to toe!!

"From a very young age I knew I didn't want to wear so much gold for my marriage.. For aesthetic reasons.. But as I grew up the feeling grew stronger on many other levels and today when I am getting married , i want to use this beautiful life I have and this amazing platform that cinema has given me to send across my strong vote of protest against the dowry system that we still shamelessly silently follow and dedicate my decision to the millions of parents who have spend their life time earnings on their children's weddings! Today I won't be wearing a single gram of gold:)"

Instead of having a lavish wedding, Rima and Aashiq decided to donate the wedding expenses to a noble cause. After the marriage , the couple met with reporters and Rima spoke about her career. The actress told the media that she will be continuing to work in films even after her marriage. "I do not mix my personal and professional life. I will continue to act," the actress was quoted as saying by PTI.

Rima began her acting career with the 2009-release "Ritu", a critically-acclaimed film. Following her debut film, Rima starred in several Malayalam projects including "Kerala Café", "City of God", "Indian Rupee" and "22 Female Kottayam" among others. She is currently filming for "Escape from Uganda", a thriller directed by Rajesh Nair.

Aashiq Abu, who began his career as an assistant director, made his directorial debut with 2009-release "Daddy Cool". His second film "Salt N' Pepper" won accolades from all sections of people. His other projects include "22 Female Kottayam" (2012) and "Idukki Gold", which released last month.