The marriage of “Agent Vinod—Saif Ali Khan” to “Heroine—Kareena Kapoor” reminds me of “Chameli-Amrita Singh.”
Amrita Singh has been my first crush since 1987, when I was nine and watched the Movie Betaab.
I was lucky to have the video cassette of Betaab back then, and I have viewed it multiple times.
Today also I sense an Extra Hop in my step when I hear “Jab hum Jawaan honge, Jaane Khaan honge” and “Badal Yun Garajta hai, Darr kuch aisa lagta hai”
My love for Amrita Singh made me hate Sunny Deol then. I treated him as someone who snatched my girlfriend and is living happily together with their Dog, Bozzo.
It was only when I reached age 11 that I realised this was a Film, the characters were playing characters, and this was not a real-life situation.
And when she married Saif Ali Khan, .tab se to samjho meri Saif Ali Khan se Dushmani hi shuru ho gayi. (Until the movie “Love Aaj Kal” was released, this was The Movie I consider one of the favourites)
Anyway, everything went well for many years until 9th December 2008.
I was on an Official trip to Mumbai and had just come to my Swiss Junction Showroom after having lunch at the “Lucknow ke Tunde Kebab” in the food Court of Mega Mall, Oshiwara. It was a wonderful afternoon, but it was a dull business hour. Since I was already at the store, I asked three salespeople to go for lunch and return early.
While I was composing an email, a familiar-looking lady just popped in, ushered an 11-year-old boy in, and requested I take care of him. Being my usual self, I started chatting with him and entertaining him with our unique toys.
He told me, in a hefty American accent, that his name is Ibrahim and that he studies at DhiruBhai Ambani International School. Then, some other Gupshup followed.
In a few Minutes, an Elegantly Dressed lady walked in and said, “Hey, thanks for taking care of my Boy.”
Looking at her, I froze for a moment.
I realised that she was AMRITA SINGH, and it didn’t take me long to understand that the boy I was talking to was her and Saif Ali Khan’s Son.
Within a Minute, the Familiar lady who had sent Ibrahim walked in, and after a second look, I recognised her. She was Navneet Nishan. (Tara)
Now, watching my decades-old Crush before me, I could not say anything or Even Move.
Just then, Ibrahim told her Mom that he wanted to buy that toy, priced at Rs. 590/-
I packed it and told her this was a gift (Punjabi hu na…), which she refused sternly.
So I said, “Ok, Will, give a 50% discount on the same for the regard I have for her, And all the while I was shaking”
When she handed over her Amex Platinum Card to my shaking hands…I punched Rs 2.95 instead of Rs.295, which she realised while signing and got my attention in Punjabi. “Eh ki Kita?”
Sensing my mistake, I again swiped it for Rs. 295/-
Realising my nervousness, she hugged me and thanked me (na jaane kyu), before leaving.
These Preserved Credit Card Slips are a testimony to my claim. 🙂
I have never been in awe of any celebrity, but for Amrita Singh, it’s different. That is probably the only reason I remember and relish that instance today.
I would have loved to share Ibrahim’s picture here, too, but I avoided it since he is very young.
I don’t know how to end this blog, so I am posting this image of hers, which was published recently by Hello!! Magazine. With her Daughter Sara Ali Khan, it shows that she is as Beautiful today as she was 20 years ago.
