An `ear'-rie addiction
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Stars have a number of mobiles and your proximity to the star can be gauged by which number you possess
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photo: pti
MULTIPLE CONNECTIVITY Any star worth his/her paint will have at least two phones; Rakshita has one exclusively for Prem and her mother
The omnipresent mobile phone is both a boon and bane for stars. It keeps them connected to their family and claque but they also have to deal with nosy fans when somebody in the coterie leaks their number. Any star worth his/her war paint will have at least two phones. One is a number given to all and sundry where you'll have to convince the man Friday about the importance of your call to reach the star. The other is a personal number given to a chosen few who're sworn to secrecy.
Of course, the bigger stars have four or more phones. Your proximity to the star can be gauged by the number you possess. Ramesh has only one phone and answers all his calls whether he's in Davangere or Dubai. He also makes it a point to message you if his number is changed. Puneet is another star who takes all his calls. If he's busy in a shot he'll call you back if he knows you. You had to call Rakshita's mother or touch up boy to reach her. "I have one number which only Prem and my mom know," she said before her wedding.
Stars also splurge on the latest models even if some of them don't know how to use half the features. Having too many phones can pose problems too. Reliable sources tell me a male superstar had his close friend's houses searched by the cops when he found his phone missing after a drinking binge at his place. When the phone was not found the star apologised but his outraged pals are shunning him. The story goes that it was in the safe custody of his wife.
Why was the star scared? The star had shot scenes of an intimate encounter with a willing co-star on an outdoor. The furious wife sulked for some time but was placated with a foreign jaunt.
Ramya is easily approachable though she too has a number, which only a few know. "I don't mind talking to my fans as long as they don't get too personal and ask unnecessary questions," says the chirpy star.
"Nenapirali" Prem has suddenly become unapproachable after signing a few films. There are stars like Sudeep who'll call you from a number that's withheld. If you want to talk to him you'll have to call his manager. There are people like Balu Mahendra who has never had even a landline. "If somebody wants to talk to me they will come to my house," says the sensitive director.
There's Mani Ratnam who reluctantly bought the cell phone more because of his health problems and doesn't regret it today. You're sworn to secrecy when given his number. "It's a necessary evil," admits the genial director. Yograj Bhat has already got a new number thanks to pestering producers and "Mungaru Male" fanatics. "I'm not able to write my next script in peace," complains the director.
Then there's "Duniya" Vijay who's already called me from four different numbers, all his own. There was one number strictly for the press. The last time he called from a new number he said it was for a very few close friends. That'll probably be till I criticise a performance or career move.
S. SHIVA KUMAR
sshivu@yahoo.com
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