An impressive lot

Its not box-office ratings or on-screen performances,but the stars real-life personae that lingers with me.

Its not box-office ratings or on-screen performances,but the stars real-life personae that lingers with me.

Looking back at the year gone by,it is but natural to recall the box-office statistics,the biggest and the lowest grossers,the slew of delicious and not-so-delicious newbies,how comedies continued to sparkle etc. But the memories I take into the next year are some wonderful,exceptional moments with the stars. Like it was hard not to get swept away by Vinod Khannas impeccable hospitality when I went to his place for an interview earlier this year. What stood out,when I had visited his place almost 15 years back,was how he stepped into the kitchen to oversee what the cook was serving us for lunch. He hadnt changed. Every time a reporter got up to leave after an interview,he would ask the person to have something. That something was cup cakes,mini pizzas,cutlets,cookies and more,laid out carefully by wife Kavita! Excellent!

The most engaging meeting was with Shah Rukh Khan. And this time it was not just his wit and sharp humour,but his unexpected enthusiasm that lingered. When my editor and I had dropped by on the sets of Ra.One unannounced,he didnt flinch. We were asked to wait as he shot some stunning action scenes with the foreign technicians,and then came back smiling. He did an interview there and then,showed us some Ra.One clippings and even showed us around the mind-boggling set,which till then was closed to the media. All this coming from Indias biggest star. It will be always etched in my mind,to say the least.

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Then there was Hema Malini,who floors with her good looks,but this time she struck me with her candidness. Whether it was categorically stating that she was making Tell Me Oh Khuda to give a boost to her daughter,Esha Deols career,or being surprised at her popularity when a die-hard fan insisted that she should attend an event held in her honour and showered her with compliments. If it was 20 years ago I would understand but now! she laughed.

It was worth many a smile when I went to interview Farah Khan at her house,and in the bargain also got a good 20 minutes to see her irresistible triplets,Czar,Diva and Anya at play with their trainer ,who was teaching them a little bit of yoga and helping them identify colours. Czar was completely in control and was very articulate,while the pony-tailed girls were a bit reticent. Diva behaved like a true blue-blooded diva. When asked who is the naughtiest among the trio,Czar and Diva pointed out to Anya. What was most amusing was to see the otherwise vocal Farah cooing with her three cute kids.

Another memorable incident was a seemingly simple message by Rishi Kapoor inviting me to see Neetu,Ranbir and his Ganpati Bappa on Ganesh Chathurthi. The message,coming from an actor who is not exactly media- friendly, took me by surprise. Kapoor came across a God-fearing ardent devotee who offered mouth-watering besan ladoos and barfi to his bappa. It was a revelation to discover this side of the brilliant actor.

So this is how some of our top stars are,even when the cameras are not on.

geety.sahgalexpressindia.com