Thoughts of a fan switch off (pun unintended)

Driving back home last night was probably the longest in a very long time. And no, it had nothing to do with the infamous Mumbai traffic in fact it was a breeze (something I would have cherished on any other given night). I guess my vulnerable self was the reason behind it. I was disheartened and not so professionally as much as, a fan.

I couldn’t help but wonder. Here is a woman who has struggled for 8+ years in an industry where only the fortunate few survive and many perish with consecutive Fridays. A woman who was perceived as nothing more than a cheap thrill, blame it all on the ‘item girl’ tag. A woman who got lucky by fate, all thanks to a reality show – she spoke out loud, called a spade a spade, fear was not her forte. Her earthiness became addictive. We, the masses were in love and as they say the rest is history.

But at that moment alone in car, I found myself questioning her very substance and realizing the gullibility of an ardent fan. All previously written words felt wasted, alas perceptions had changed. All in a matter of few hours and the experience was somewhat like, witnessing a beautiful face brought closer to reality, with each layer of makeup peeled off.

For professional reasons I can’t elaborate much on my disgust however will sum it up in the most befitting (and most often tossed) phrase: Stardom changes everything and everyone.

And in case you are wondering about the interview. Well it never happened. Yes,

despite a prior confirmed appointment.

despite many minuscule interactions with her during the entire schedule.

despite an assurance from the lady herself of a dedicated 30 minutes.

despite patiently waiting for almost 7 hours

I was left clueless with Bollywood’s patent excuse “not in the mood”.

"Don’t let it get you down" a concerned friend said whose shoulder I have been utilizing a bit too often nowadays. And yes the cause of my grief continues to be Rakhi Sawant. Well not Ms. Sawant per se but the chain of incorrigible associates in between us.

I am expected to interview the-ex-item girl-and-now-Yash Raj-actress in the next 48 hours and guess what? That’s all I have been told. Where? What time? How much time? Confirmation? - Nothing. I have absolutely no #%@&*%# clue.

The story is pretty much the same; phone calls continue to be ignored, no reply to text messages and emails, probably directed to the trash bin. Frankly speaking when this assignment landed up on my lap practically from nowhere, I thought this to be – an easy stroll @ Juhu Beach. And I had strong reasons to believe so;

a) Interviewed Rakhi on a previous occasion

b) Her media friendly attitude

c) Backing of an International Magazine

d) Assurances from in-industry friends, "Rakhi, arey woh toh tere ghar aake interview degi".

Click here to continue reading ‘Still Breaking’

Sakshi is a big Rakhi Sawant fan – The only line people seem to come up with whenever handed with the responsibility of introducing me to a new set of people. I can’t really blame them though. Ever since I started dedicating wholesome posts in honour of Bolllywood’s most famous Item Girl, my blog’s popularity jumped higher with every controversy she entertained.

Traffic, links, feed counts…you name it, “Rakhi Sawant’s unofficial PR agent of the virtual world” became my by-line. And I lapped it up every single time, never feeling that it’s gotten too much.

Until now that is.

For quite sometime now I have been dabbling with the idea of a career change. Not that my current profession provides me any less; working in a family-owned business has major perks and believe me, I have exploited each to the very maximum. But I guess I have stretched myself a bit too far – 5 years in a field that is interesting but not stimulating enough, for me that is. And since I don’t plan on spending the rest of my (workable) life caught up in the same rut, I have decided its time I take blogging rather more seriously than just a much-loved hobby.

Cutting a long story short – Since I have put myself out in the market, freelance offers have been pouring in. Unfortunately though, quantity is all I have been getting (and no, I am not referring to the paycheck). But as they say, “sabar ka phal meetha hota hai” - Couple of weeks ago an editor texted me for an assignment which, he claimed, only I could truly justify.

Click here to continue reading ‘My Big Break Is Breaking Me Up’