Yesterday I was showing my mother in law a video mix by JC and told her about the popularity of Michi (she does'nt watch the show). She had one look at Shabbo and said, "So is he the hero? He looks like a ruffian! Some people seem to have all the luck to be loved even looking like that!" Needless to say I sprung to the defence of our dear darling. But it reminded me of what I had initally thought of him when I first saw him in a cameo in KS, later in NB where he was flirting atrociously with the co-host and after that in the rerun of KTH. I wondered how this guy can be termed as a style icon, a heart throb, a charmer etc etc. The guy had such an unkempt look about him which was totally the opposite of the clean looks telly heros normally have. In fact his looks would have suited a villian's role more.
A stubble was fine. But the long unkempt hair? Certainly put me off him initially.In KYM, the first episode I watched in full was the episode where he threatens to rape Prachi. In that he looked even more scary and uncouth. I wondered just how is this guy so popular. Anyway curiosity got the better of me and I decided to watch what exactly happened in the next episode and before I realised I was hooked to the show and to Shabbo! The guy literally grew on me. I understood why people found him charming. The guy's histrionic skills need no further elaboration. But even his unkempt looks which initally seemed unconventional and uncool, started looking cool and I guess has become his USP.
Seeing Shabbo, I am reminded of the effect A.R.Rahman's music has on people. People who hear it for the first time may not take to it immediately because it is unconventional and sounds different from the usual numbers. But as you keep listen to it the music just grows on you and before you realise you will be humming the tunes subconsciously. Shabbo I feel is like that. Once he has got on to you, you cannot let go.
God bless him and may he be successful in whatever he does.👏