MUMBAI: First autographs and fan moments are special for any actor. These actors share their special moments with us, the moments they realised that they are stars!
Pragati Mehra- Oh this is a special memory, it was way back in 1998 I think. I just stepped out of watching a film at PVR in Delhi and was walking towards the parking lot. A guy popped up and said 'autograph please' I was taken back. Guess my expression said it all and he said I recognised your voice, you are RJ Pragati of Gupshup Chaat Masala. I listen to your show! The feeling was unexplained as I never imagined that voice could leave such an impact!! Those were the days. Today it's different, selfie is the new autograph! No harm there but autographs had their own charm!
Ayush Anand- Asking for autographs is so rare these days. I don’t exactly remember when someone personally asked me for an autograph. Maybe on Insta someone did and I was pleasantly surprised with the gesture as there’s a selfie trend now and we are so used to it. I remember that there were three girls who came to my doorstep to take a selfie with me during 2016 when I was doing Balika Vadhu(season 2). Honestly, I still wonder what they liked in me when I was doing that show as it was a very small role. Having said that, it truly made me feel special as they came the next day as well with a gift which was a coffee mug with the same selfie on it. I have never felt like a star. For me, a star is someone for whom audiences/viewers are willing to stand under the sun in long queues to purchase a ticket to watch him/her on-screen. When I will achieve that immense fan following, I will consider myself a star.
Vaishalee Thakkar- Well, that was the day I felt more responsible as an actor. I feel it’s about their feelings and they use the excuse of the autograph to come and speak to the actor, strike a conversation and I feel that is a very special moment. I love those interactions and thank God for them. Times have changed and, hence the selfie is in. Well, whatever makes them happy I am fine.
Vijayendra Kumeria- I remember giving my first autograph to a housekeeping staff in Goa. I was surprised that he used to watch my first ever show that used to air on DD National. I was amazed that out of all the places somebody from a place like Goa used to watch my show on Doordarshan. Also instead of a selfie, he asked for an autograph. These days it is very rare that people ask for autographs instead of selfies but autographs still feel personal as you sign it with a small message for the one asking for it.
Aparna Dixit- My first autograph was actually in Mumbai. I had started doing Pavitra Rishta. It was a show that was already filled with stars. I didn't really feel very popular. But when my mom and dad came to Mumbai for the first time during that time, I took them to Juhu beach. I was leading a normal life, a normal girl who had just got a show. Over there a group of girls recognised me and took photos with me. It was such an amazing feeling as for the first time someone recognised me especially when my mom and dad were there. That moment was very special. That time I realised that people have started noticing me as Mansi. Talking about my first autograph, it was during my first event when I was doing Kalash. I had an appearance for one day. I took my mom with me and it was during the time of Navratri. I was just expecting to cut a ribbon and do the appearance, but they had made a rath for me and they made me sit. My mom also sat with me. It was a divine feeling as they had put up my posters as well and showered flowers on me. There were bouncers everywhere. You do not realise on the sets but when you go in public you realise that people feel so connected with you. When I went to Indore, in 2015, at that time phones and all weren't there much and small kids came to me and asked for autographs. For them, I was a star but it was a first-time experience for me. Such moments make you feel so special. After doing Pavitra Rishta, when I did Kalash as a lead, I saw that transformation and got to experience stardom. I am grateful to be able to witness all these moments.
Ajay Singh Chaudhary- My first experience of being asked for an autograph was in 2007 when my show got released. It was a big hit among youngsters. The name of the show was Love Story by Anurag Basu on Sab TV. That time, I used to go on my shoots in the ST bus. I remember that after the show was getting popular, one day in the bus I was going for my shoot in Goregaon, and there was a college on the way and the students saw me. The bus stopped ahead and the students hopped on the bus. There was a girl among them and she asked for an autograph. I couldn't understand what I should write because I never thought that I would give someone an autograph. I asked the girls’ names and wrote something nice for her. That feeling I can't express in words. Nowadays, people take selfies and they can keep their photos with them. Autographs were a different thing and people still keep them safe in books or papers. That was a great time when people used to run behind you for autographs.
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