By Monica Chadha BBC News, Mumbai

There has been frenzied speculation in the Indian media

Former Miss World and leading Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai and fellow star Abhishek Bachchan are engaged to be married, it has been confirmed.

Ms Rai's secretary Hari Singh confirmed to the BBC a ceremony had taken place on Sunday evening at her home in the city of Mumbai (Bombay).

The confirmation ends frenzied speculation in the Indian media about the couple.

Rumours were sparked when the stars visited a Hindu temple in November.

Time magazine

Mr Singh confirmed the families of both actors were present at the ceremony.

No date for marriage has been fixed yet Amitabh Bachchan Fans' joy and sadness

Abhishek Bachchan is the son of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

The families have been tight-lipped about the relationship. Even after the small engagement ceremony, both parties were maintaining their silence.

Indian television channels showed pictures of crowds gathered outside Mr Bachchan's residence, waiting to catch a glimpse of either of the stars.

Ms Rai is one of the top Bollywood actresses and has had several hit movies over the past few years.

She was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 2003 as Bollywood's leading lady and was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman.

Abhishek Bachchan has starred in several successful films and was voted the sexiest Asian man by a British newspaper last year.

The actors have starred together in several films.

In the past, Ms Rai has been linked to other Bollywood actors, including Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi.