Why Vivek Oberoi took off for a friend's wedding instead of IIFA

Vivek Oberoi will be one more in a long list of celebs giving an international awards event a miss.

A source close to Vivek explains why he is not heading to the event "The organisers really wanted him to attend the awards function this year and perform but he chose his friends' wedding.

Vivek leaves for Istanbul tomorrow for close friends Kurt and Ceyda's wedding. He has been friends with the couple for years; since his New York days."

Kurt and Ceyda's wedding will be a traditional Turkish one. The friend informs "After the wedding Vivek will go on a 20-day holiday to Europe as he's been working round the clock for the last one year. He will catch up with more friends and leave for Bodrum. From Bodrum Vivek will go to Athens (Greece) to visit his friends there."

Vivek Oberoi says "I am really excited to meet all my friends and be a part of such a special day. I'm going to be witnessing a traditional Turkish wedding for the first time and being a die-hard romantic I am really looking forward to it.

Bodrum is like the Goa of Turkey one of the most chilled places on earth white sandy beaches overlooking the turquoise waters of the Aegean. The Greek islands are steeped in history and romance two of my favorite things."

Vivek has some great films coming up this year which include Rensil D' Silva's Qurbaan Kumar Taurani's Prince and Rakta Charitra and wants to keep away from all controversies. He doesn't want his absence to imply any animosity towards the Bachchans.

Says a source "Last year Vivek had been invited by Abhishek and Ash for the party they held in their room after the same awards event but he stayed away. Later that year he went to pay his respects at Amitabh mother Teji Bachchan's funeral. He wants to maintain cordial relations with the Bachchans."

The source adds "Vivek is hurt with reports that he was trying to get friendly with Abhishek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya at Karan Johar's birthday bash. In fact VO was standing and chatting with Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor when Abhishek walked upto them and started talking about Vivek's films.

He also told him that he was happy with the way Vivek's career was shaping up. While Junior B chatted away his wife was standing beside him. And the ex-lovers greeted each other politely that was all."