BARUN pics, vid, autograph@Electro Dandiya

When I first heard Barun was coming to Kolkata during Durga Puja, I was rather sad! There were too many programmes fixed during the Pujas with family, relatives and friends and it would not be right to back out at the last moment and disappoint them. Moreover, it was not enough to meet him, I wanted to talk to him about a research project I am doing. Some of you already know about it and have kindly helped me too. Morever, my Blaster friends had sent beautiful messages for him last May, hoping I would get the chance to convey it to Barun and I so wanted to do that!

And Devi Maiyya showed the way! The programme with my family on 20 October, Tuesday was postponed. And I suddenly found myself free that evening. I called my cousin who has been transferred to Kolkata recently. He agreed to go with me to Electro Dandiya. I booked the tickets online and we reached Mani Square Mall by 7pm. When I was told by the organizers that Barun would not come before 11pm, I felt very disappointed. But the organizers were a wonderful lot. They agreed to give to him two copies of the Blaster photobook, one for Barun to keep and another for him to autograph for my friends. The photobook is a compilation of edits and messages by the Blasters of the IF Blast the Past thread, namely, Durga S., ArshiHamesha aka Faiqa, Katelyn, Cinthiann, BarunDiwani aka Ami Javeria and me. The Blast the Past banner is made by Supriya. The good wishes for Barun were on behalf of all my Blaster friends who were there in word as well as spirit. The organizer gave me his number and told me I could pick it up from him some other day. Very very nice of him. I also had a gift for Barun, a hat chosen by the Blasters, which I forgot to give!

And yet strange are the ways of Devi Maiyya! My ride back home got delayed and so I was happily stuck in Mani Square mall with my poor unsuspecting cousin when Barun made an appearance! The organizers introduced him by showing a clip his fans had made on him. Someone pointed out Barun! Oh yes he was there alright! He was intently watching the clip from the AC lounge on the left side of the stage. I was on the right side, right in front.

And then he was there on the stage! Cool and handsome wearing a white T, a greyish shrug and blue jeans! He wished everyone a Happy Durga Puja and a safe journey back home (See my video)

He also asked the crowd how were they dancing in this heat! Lol! The compere then insisted he dance with his fans! His expression said he was unprepared! But he was sporting and took the dandiya sticks in his hands and did shake to the dandiya beats (See my video) Some toddlerss joined him. The kids were looking so cute in his arms, especially one wearing a red dress. I wish I had clicked that. I was just staring and admiring him at that time!

The compere asked if anyone was interested in taking a selfie with him! The girls in the crowd went mad! The condition was they had to answer a few questions about him...like his date of birth, what did he do before becoming an actor, what was the name of his first film, his next film and so on. Any Barun fan worth her salt would know the answers to these. I smiled to myself when all the questions were answered in 5 minutes flat! Ha ha! It however, took double the time to get the girls down from the stage! One girl in orange refused to budge! But at last they cleared the stage. Barun took many selfies with the crowd mainly on the other side, i.e his left side. And then suddenly the girls on my side clamoured for him, "Please please ASR, a selfie..." And he walked over to my side, so close...I was mesmerized...and then I found myself being pushed back by a sea of girls and he looked straight into my eyes as I was the only one retreating! Lol! And they had their selfie! The girls were so excited.

But my moment came when the compere announced that Barun's fans from "London"(but there is no Blaster from UK!) and other places had sent him a book of messages and would he please autograph them! And when the book was handed to him I went blank! Unbelievable! It was our Blaster photobook! The organizers must have liked it very much to add it to the programme! And Barun actually read them and commented on the messages on the stage...for all to see! Hey Maa Durga! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was more than I had dreamt of!

Now I had to get the photobook back! And was in this process to get the photobook back, that I met Barun! He had taken it with him to the green room and the organizers told me to wait with many others who wanted personal audience with him. After some time I was allowed inside his room. I was carrying the hat and also the synopsis of my research project in my bag! I gave him both! He thanked me! We had a small talk! I took a selfie with him asked him to smile please, to which he laughed! And I was the happiest female in the world!

Barun is really perfection personified. Handsome, charming humble and kind! In the time he was there he did not refuse any fan for a selfie or autograph. Nor did he show any signs of frustration.

Devi Maiyya shower your blessings on Barun hamesha! May we also soon see our Sarun together!