She's got millions of fans around the world and some of them would go to any lengths just to catch a glimpse of her. Imagine what would happen if they were to get their hands on her personal mobile number?
It's been mayhem ever since a film magazine published Aishwarya Rai's number — the phone in question has been ringing off the hook with fans from all over the world dialing up at all hours of the day and night.
So who can blame the former Miss World if she's upset about the whole issue — if only because of the trouble it's causing her business manager. The twist in the tale is that the number actually belongs to her trusted lieutenant Harii Singh who is now wary of receiving calls from unknown numbers in case it's another fan gushing gibberish.
"It started about two months ago," admits Harii Singh, "I was getting international calls from all over, especially from the UAE and Pakistan. They wanted to know if this was indeed Aishwarya's number, claiming it had been published in a certain film magazine along with her contact information."
While most top stars including Aishwarya have unlisted personal numbers and are known to immediately change it if too many people get access to it, in Singh's case it's the opposite. "Because everyone who has dealt with me for years now has this number, changing it would prove counterproductive," he says. "But I've found a way out – now there is a pre-recorded message telling the caller to send a mail to starguidesworld@yahoo.com."
While he's now dealing with a flooded mailbox in addition to a constantly ringing phone, Harii thinks it's a blessing in disguise. "It's the fans who make the star and the messages not only keep Aishwarya informed, it's gratifying to know that so many people love her so much."s_saumit@dnaindia.net
The 50
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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