celeb observation
 

So I sat adjacent to Indian "celebs" on two sectors recently. In either case I did not realize who they were until I asked them (which did not sound polite to them i'd say :rolleyes:).

Sat behind Pankaj Udas on BOM-BHO and next to Rajnikant on MAA-PNQ.

Having not realized who they were I was amused to see folks on the flight lining up for their autographs/ pictures. The latter was quite uncomfortable as I had to resort to (a) either figuring out their camera phones to take the pic or (b) move out of the frame so that they could get in with their fav celeb. I did not want to be rude I guess so I complied.

But I am curious how have others encountered celebs on their flights across india and is this mobile phone pic thing all that common. I mean they did not seem to mind... neither did the FAs.

So who have you flown with across your trips in India?

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

That man is a legend in south India! In the US, it would be like sitting next to Clint Eastwood and asking him who he is.

I can only imagine the reaction to that one! :D

Thanks for sharing ^

Was in the security line right behind Aishwarya Rai way back in 1998/99 (forget exact year). Not being well educated about Bollywood/the beauty pagent world, had no clue why people were gawking/lining up to talk to her (although I remember thinking that she was very beautiful) - ended up asking the security guard who she was and truly got a "where have you been" look!! She went on to board the Swiss air flight and I boarded my usual LH....

Have also sat one row behind Pt. Hariprasad Chowrasia (BOM - BHO) in 2000 and next to Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma on BOM-IXE who was on his way to a concert there....very very down to earth and nice person (as I have had the fortune to learn first hand that most greats, at least in the Indian classical music world are really down to earth and "real"). He even personally invited me over and offered to take me with him on his ride from the airport to the concert location!!! My other commitments for the day didn't allow me to :(

BTW I am not sure if this happens in the US as well but I've seen Jet employees escort "celebs / key guests" through security and boarding in India.
Once I was in security line at MAA and was tapped on the back by a Jet Lady to move out of the line so that a very smiling Nooyi (pepsi) could keep her bags on the cabin bag check. Similarly once on BLR-MAA sector had to wait for (who I found out later to be) Yesudas to go through.
But then on one other occasion rode the bus with Kapil Dev in BOM to boarding and he was just the usual guy. No jet escort.