Joy of running into celebs at airports

Every now and then when we visit airports for our trips, we run into celebs quite a few times. The joy of running into celebs at airports is something like a free dessert on top of a good meal. You want to share this happiness of seeing them in your social circle, but the main catch here is taking a selfie with them. This will get you a few extra likes on social media which is the same as gaining a few more pounds after having an extra piece from the free desert. First, you do not want to intrude into their privacy, and then that fan moment provokes you to ask for one. But in both cases, you do not want to miss this opportunity of a guilty pleasure.

My first flight was from Delhi to Patna for some personal work. Like any first-timer, I reached the airport a few hours early not to mess up at any checkpoint. After formalities were done, I was roaming around the airport in different outlets. This is when the announcement came for flight delay by an hour because of bad weather. Yeah, the very common reason, I know but now I would be reaching my hometown an hour late that is by 9 P.M.

Anyway, I boarded the flight after an hour; mostly other passengers had also boarded but there was still no announcement for takeoff. This is when I saw a cabinet minister boarding the flight. He was then newly appointed minister in first time Modi Government. After gracefully accepting initial attention and few selfie requests, he quickly settled down on his seat. I was hesitant to approach him so did not go to ask for any selfie. But seeing a central minister in the first flight was not a bad experience at all. Celebrity I shared my first flight was Indian politician Late Sri Ram Vilas Paswan.

Next time I had to board a flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport. After completing formalities, I was entering the waiting area when I saw one six feet plus clean shaved guy accompanied by two other people. After an initial session of roaming around the airport, I was visiting an outlet when I saw again that cricketer in the next shop purchasing a watch or something. Like a few other people, I also waited outside the shop. When he came outside, I asked for a selfie which he obliged. Just after that I made a call to all family members and told them about meeting this celebrity and of course shared it on social media. Cricketer I met was our own Nehra Ji.

A few months later I had landed on Jay Prakash Narayan Airport, Patna. After leaving the transport bus which took us to the airport. I was moving to pick my luggage when I saw a lady in a bridal dress. She was wearing something very heavily designer bridal Sari. She was having her make up fair enough compared to a new bride. Those days she was all over the news and media people were elaborating all aspects of her life.

Anyway, I was collecting my thoughts when one follower who had come to receive her offered a lotus flower which she obliged. Then that guy from followers group did a dandwat pranam for which she thanked him. She quickly moved towards the exit door with her followers. As I had to take luggage, I missed the chance of having a selfie with her. The celebrity I just saw was Radhe Maa.

A few years back I was returning from a Goa trip. Friends had moved to their respective destination and I had to board a flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport. The flight was early morning, so I had planned my breakfast at the airport itself.After having my breakfast, I was waiting for the boarding announcement when I saw an actor in the same area. He was having coffee at a coffee junction.

After he finished the coffee and was completely free, I approached him and asked for a selfie. He politely said, “Sure Brother, come to have it”. While clicking the picture I introduced myself to him for which he said, “Very nice”. I told him that I follow his and his co-actors news. Then we had a formal handshake and goodbye. Latter he joined a political party and won 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. Celebrity I met was Bhojpuri and Bollywood actor, Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur constituency, Ravi Kishan.

Last year I had to pick my flight from Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (Varanasi). As I had a lot of time in hand so rather than spending time in the hotel, I reached the airport a little early. When I was entering the airport, I saw a few vehicles of a political party and their workers reaching the airport. One actor turned politician came out of the SUV and entered the airport.

As I was also free, I kept roaming at the airport, and in between was noticing his activities. He, after waiting in the lounge, was moving towards the check-in counter. I reached to him and calling his name asked, “Brother one selfie?”. To which he said, “Sure Brother”. He stopped for a second and we had the selfie. He was then contesting election from Azamgarh opposite Akhilesh Yadav.

While we were walking towards his check-in counter, I mentioned that I had watched their recent episode on Kapil Sharma Show. He asked in Bhojpuri “Did u like it”? For which I replied “Brother, I liked it very much”. He had recently completed his 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign and I wished him best of luck for election results to which he smiled. After a warm handshake, he left towards the boarding gate and I left for my check-in process. Celeb I just met was Bhojpuri actor turned politician Dinesh Lal Yadav “Nirahua”

Sometimes a few celebrities are so simple that they go unrecognized. Recently, I was on my holiday visit to Goa, and after the initial check-in process, I was in line to complete my security check. I saw a person who looked familiar and asked the security personnel there, but he looked unsure. Then one or two guys were taking selfies with the celebrity there; this made me think hard, and I remembered who he was.

I went near him and greeted him. To my surprise, he greeted me back with folded hands. I was completely taken aback by his humility. I told him that I had followed him closely during his time as ex-railway minister and I appreciate his efforts brought to Indian Railways. He thanked me once more with his folded hands and patiently stopped for a few seconds to have a quick chat with me. I took his leave with a lot of happiness and smile but this time with both my hands folded in respect. The celebrity I met was Sri “Suresh Prabhu” -Former Minister of Railways of India.

शुभं भवतु !! Gaurav Raj !!