Love at first sight
I heard he was in town for a theatre fest, and i knew that this was probably my only chance to see him.Sanyogita agreed to go with me to the theater fest.The next day, as we waited at yashwantrao natya sabhagruha for the gates to open, Sanyogita and i, were unsure if we would actually be see him at the fest.
Soon, the gates opened, and everyone hurriedly rushed inside the theater. As we reached the main lobby, we saw Mr.Amol Palekar (dressed in a simple black kurta) and his wife modestly welcoming the guests.
As we looked around, something caught my eye and my jaw just dropped open. Sanyogita and i exchanged the oh-my-God look.Dressed up in pale blue jeans and a grey shirt, he stood just across the corner, and managed to look casual yet stylish. He
was sporting long hair and a moustach and looked taller than we thought he was.He polietly greeted the people around and spoke to them, he had no starry airs, no fake attitude. There was something charming about him, that would make you turn around and look at him more than twice.
A fine director, a talented actor, talk show host, a man of intellgence, creativity and immense talent. He is none other than Rajat Kapoor.
Eventhough, he stood just 5 meters away from us, my feet were like frozen and i couldnt gather the courage to go and talk to
him. Neither could sanyogita, dumbfounded we continued to look at him.
We went to have a word with Amol Palekar instead. Amol Palekar, as a person is just as humble offscreen, as he appears in his
movies. When we asked him for an autograph, he refused saying "mi star nahi, mi fakta actor ahey". Instead he introduced us
to a young budding theatre actor, and praised his work, and said, these are real stars, take his autograph.
Later, we entered the theater and settled in our seats. Although we were seated in the last row, it hardly bothered us, as our eyes were busy following Rajat. Just as we were reading the show booklet, we noticed Rajat walking towards the exit. He caught us looking at him, and we sheepishly smiled back.Then, He came up to us, and asked us to move ahead, if the seats are empty. "Yes.. thankyou", is all that we managed to say.
As he left, we looked at at each other, with the "was that for real" kind of look.I mean, that was unbelievable. Rajat Kapoor speaking to us, is not something i had imagined even in my wildest dreams.
We enjoyed two of the plays directed by Rajat. His play "C for Clown" staring Ranvir Shorey and vinay Pathak was both funny
and sad. While the other play "Hamlet, the Clown prince" was fairly enjoyable.As the show neared its end, there was a surprise visit from Mr. Nassiruddhin Shah himelf. when nassir saab felicitated rajat
kapoor, there was a thunderous applause, which lasted atleast half a minue. It was a moment to remember.
When the show ended, everyone rushed, to get and autograph of rajat. As i handed him the ticket booklet and a pen, my hands were literally shivering, and i told him that i loved his movies, and watched his show lounge. He smiled, and asked my name, gave his autograph.
How i wish i had taken my camera along that day. Although i never had a chance to get a picture of him that day, that day has been etched in my memory for ever. Was it love at first sight, I dont know, but ever since that day, my love and respect for Rajat Kapoor has only grown with time.
Soon, the gates opened, and everyone hurriedly rushed inside the theater. As we reached the main lobby, we saw Mr.Amol Palekar (dressed in a simple black kurta) and his wife modestly welcoming the guests.
As we looked around, something caught my eye and my jaw just dropped open. Sanyogita and i exchanged the oh-my-God look.Dressed up in pale blue jeans and a grey shirt, he stood just across the corner, and managed to look casual yet stylish. He
was sporting long hair and a moustach and looked taller than we thought he was.He polietly greeted the people around and spoke to them, he had no starry airs, no fake attitude. There was something charming about him, that would make you turn around and look at him more than twice.
A fine director, a talented actor, talk show host, a man of intellgence, creativity and immense talent. He is none other than Rajat Kapoor.
Eventhough, he stood just 5 meters away from us, my feet were like frozen and i couldnt gather the courage to go and talk to
him. Neither could sanyogita, dumbfounded we continued to look at him.
We went to have a word with Amol Palekar instead. Amol Palekar, as a person is just as humble offscreen, as he appears in his
movies. When we asked him for an autograph, he refused saying "mi star nahi, mi fakta actor ahey". Instead he introduced us
to a young budding theatre actor, and praised his work, and said, these are real stars, take his autograph.
Later, we entered the theater and settled in our seats. Although we were seated in the last row, it hardly bothered us, as our eyes were busy following Rajat. Just as we were reading the show booklet, we noticed Rajat walking towards the exit. He caught us looking at him, and we sheepishly smiled back.Then, He came up to us, and asked us to move ahead, if the seats are empty. "Yes.. thankyou", is all that we managed to say.
As he left, we looked at at each other, with the "was that for real" kind of look.I mean, that was unbelievable. Rajat Kapoor speaking to us, is not something i had imagined even in my wildest dreams.
We enjoyed two of the plays directed by Rajat. His play "C for Clown" staring Ranvir Shorey and vinay Pathak was both funny
and sad. While the other play "Hamlet, the Clown prince" was fairly enjoyable.As the show neared its end, there was a surprise visit from Mr. Nassiruddhin Shah himelf. when nassir saab felicitated rajat
kapoor, there was a thunderous applause, which lasted atleast half a minue. It was a moment to remember.
When the show ended, everyone rushed, to get and autograph of rajat. As i handed him the ticket booklet and a pen, my hands were literally shivering, and i told him that i loved his movies, and watched his show lounge. He smiled, and asked my name, gave his autograph.
How i wish i had taken my camera along that day. Although i never had a chance to get a picture of him that day, that day has been etched in my memory for ever. Was it love at first sight, I dont know, but ever since that day, my love and respect for Rajat Kapoor has only grown with time.
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