And here's a sweet account of someone who was there:
We entertainers don't usually have books to learn from... or schools to go to. There are no crash-courses. We primarily learn "on-the-job". We observe. We read. We are inspired. We form our own path taking in experiences from everything and everyone we encounter. That's really how we grow. Each event is a practical exam. Each show is an appraisal.
Now.. I've had a teacher who has taught me how to entertain. How to be both, an entertainer and a good human being, at the same time. I've never met him.
Over the last 15 years, I've read his words, heard him speak, devoured his interviews, watched him go about his madness all over the world.. and imbibed his unbridled passion for Entertainment. He has been the single largest influence on my career as an Entertainer. Be it singing.. performing.. MC'ing.. acting on stage or on screen.. doing voice-overs in a studio.. he's always been an influence!
He's not merely an actor or a superstar. He's a a true showman. An orator par excellence. A philosopher. A dreamer. A guru of everything in the universe and beyond. His mischievous innocence, his rock-solid experience, his humble demeanour, his courage to dream, his intense love for the audience... have been some of the most important chapters in my text book.
I hoped to meet him one day. I didn't know I'd get to announce his name the way I did last evening. I didn't expect to share stage with him for "two whole hours" at a prestigious corporate event I was hosting.
I told him on stage, "I've waited 15 years to shake your hand"... and he hugged me. Standing in his presence and hearing him speak was an experience that's changed my life.
Like I mentioned yesterday... I must have done something good to deserve this!
He has been my greatest long-distance education. The teacher I never met.. until last night.
I waited 15 years to do this. Last night.. I shared the stage with
Shah Rukh Khan.
Anupamaa
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