July 12, 2006

Chiranjeevi made a lasting impression on me, when he slid out of a room in the police station where he was being interrogated, and closed the door with his foot, all in one quick silver motion, in the movie "Khaidi."

Most of the people remember that particular shot. It heralded a change of guard at the helm of Telugu movie industry, indicating a new king had arrived. Telugu movies would never be the same again. Chiru, as he is affectionately called by his fans, has always been a trend setter. He led and others followed.

That was 23 years ago. He is still throned comfortably on the highest seat Tollywood has to offer, and most probably will be there until he decides to step down himself.

So, what's Chiru like in person?

I have seen him on the screen, I have seen him on the TV, and I have seen him talking to the press. But by attending the ATA annual celebrations held in Los Angeles, California, this independence day weekend, I finally got a chance to meet him in person.

It was Sunday, the 2nd of July 2006, around 8 PM. A big group of us (all from San Jose) managed to gather behind the stage, waiting to get the first glimpse of Chiru.(He was supposed to walk right past us before going onto the stage.) When he arrived, it was pitch dark behind the stage, but the flashes from the cameras provided illumination sporadically, as Chiranjeevi walked past us and onto the stage amidst our shouts of "Chiru" and "Megastar." Two burly bouncers made sure nobody went too close to him.

He seemed pleased by this display of our affection. He had to wait for a few minutes before he could utter his first words, as we relentlessly kept shouting our slogans. He just smiled and waited for us to stop.

When he started speaking, he said, when he last visited the USA, he missed the mass appeal then. He said he got it in abundance this time.

He went on to talk about the social service projects he has taken up and how he is indebted to his fans for making them a success. The audience listened with rapt attention. It was a very humble and sensible speech.

After the speech, when he started making his exit past us again, we let out another string of slogans. He smiled at us and asked how many of us were there. We said we were around fifty and we wanted to have pictures taken with him. He told us he would agree to that if we would behave. "krama sikshaNatO umTaaru kada?" We shouted back in the affirmative. He requested the organizers to hoist him up on a bench so he can see all of us and be closer to us.

What followed next was mass frenzy. Everybody trying to touch Chiranjeevi's hands, asking him questions, and generally trying to get his attention. He reached out to everyone of us, answering us as best as he could. Then he sat down the on the same bench and had pictures taken with all of us in a group.

When it was time for him to leave and when we protested, he said, "naakkooDaa veLLaalani lEdu. kaani Em cheyyanu?" He then walked away from us amidst more slogan-shouting.

Happy as we all were, we still wanted more. Like individual photogrpahs with him. Like talking to him. Our wish was granted when Chiru agreed to meet just our group for half an hour at the hotel where he was staying, on the following Monday morning. We all showed up promptly at the assigned time. Chiru came in looking relaxed and well rested. We all took individual pictures with him.

I managed to have a few words with him. "meeku maa abhimaanulani choostE chiraaggaa anipinchadaa?" I asked him. "Not at all. I swear. kaasEpaitE naTinchagalanu. kaani inta sepu naTimchagalanaa?" he asked me. "inkO khaidee, rudra veeNa kaavaali mee nunchi," I requested him. "rudra veeNa gurinchi cheppalEnu kaanee, inko khaidi tappaka istaanu," he promised me. He was smiling through out, really seemed happy to be with his fans and obliged everybody. I was totally charmed by how approachable he was.

Before leaving, I asked him for an autograph. I didn't carry a book, so he signed, "Love, Chiru" on my white tee shirt.

Now, that tee shirt is not going to be washed or worn again. It would be preserved very very carefully...

-Murali Chari
San Jose
(Meeting Chiranjeevi at ATA celebrations in Los Angeles, July 2/3, 2006.)