Re: A Day With Celebrity…
Interesting encounters.
I also have too many to share but upon returning to Pakistan, happened to meet some who turned out to be quite superficial in person. So I realised that celebrities are just humans like everyone else. They have faults, weaknesses and good qualities just like any other human. We must desire to meet good humans instead of celebrities.
And while writing this post I realised that I probably would like to meet Valdmir Putin because I just feel that he is one of the rare peaceful and exceptionally intelligent people in the world of politics. Mostly the international world of politics is full of dramabaaz, trouble makers but the russian president seems to be very different than the crowd of politicians. And I think many people feel the same about him. He gives out exceptionally positive viberations of tranquility. Am I wrong?
Dont know and dont care for celebrities that much but here are my actual interaction with some celebrities. All true incidents, take it for its worth
At Sabri Nehari in Chicago, I was with my parents standing to be seated and my mother pointed me to the lady in front and told me she is Munni begum. Munni begum smiled back to my mother and said salam while the only thing that came out of my mouth was “Aami who is munni begum?”, the facial expression on my mother and this Munni begum were priceless.
Several years ago probably 2002, in Gainesville, Florida, I was a graduate student at the University of Florida. I was at an Indian grocery store buying things and suddenly a darker complexion lady walks in the store and next thing I know several of other shoppers (indian students at the U of Florida) are flocking this lady. It was like some one very special walked in. I not knowing who she is though she did look some what familiar ask the store cashier who is this and what is going on, he looked at me and his response was Where are you from, I was like Pakistan and he was quite for few seconds, very awkward seconds and than he says this is Madhuri Dixit, dont you know here? This is when Madhuri and I spoke for a few seconds, i told her i never watched indian movies so i didnt know. All around it was a funny incident and the facial expression on every one was priceless. Madhuri Dixit at the same time used to live in Gainesville, FL with her husband doing his residency / specializtion in something from Shands hospital at the University of Florida.
Years later, i was travelling to Houston from Newark, NJ to meet an old buddy. The United Airlines or Continental back than was full, there was this guy who was on Stand by list with very awkward clothing / Sufi type clothing on him was trying / arguing with Gate staff about how important it is for him to be in Houston soon and if there is any way he can board. I was right there to process my upgrade. The guy was very familiar but just wasnt rhyming my memory. Lot of Desis on flight from Nj to Houston and apparently a lot of them recognized him with taking pictures etc. I had to ask him who he is and his response with a dismay was he is Salman Ahmad of Junoon. I did wonder if i can give up my seat for which i politely said No
There are couple more interactions with celebrities during my time living in Los Angeles / San Fernando valley from 2010-2012 but these celebrities are not the kind i like to tell where i knew them from