FILM stars Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma Kapoor have escaped from frenzied media attention after announcing their surprise engagement.

The couple exchanged rings in front of family and friends at an informal ceremony and then jetted off to New Zealand.

Bachchan is over there shooting Sooraj Barjatya's latest film Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, which has Kapoor's sister Kareina in the lead.

Her father, Randhir Kapoor, says: "We have accepted the proposal that came from the Bachchans.

"Although the couple exchanged rings, the formal ceremony will be held next month once we all return to the country."