Alright my buddies...I promised that I'd tell you what happened today so here it goesss...
***Well, first of all, I did not end up performing @ the parade b/c I decided that I didn't want to perform on Oak Tree Road. Last minute decision, but a VERY smart one. So, my parents decided that we'd go anyway & at least attempt to meet Mona & Gaurav. So I leave my house all ready to go & then we get stuck in traffic in Manhattan for almost 2 hours...I am FLIPPING out b/c the parade ended @ 6PM and @ 4:30PM, I was still in POURINGGG rain in NYC. We get to the parade only to find that the cultural show is ending. My parents, me, my cousin, & my best friend's little sister go backstage because my parents knew the organizers & performers, etc. As we get there, my parents' friends tell us that Mona & Gaurav WERE there for 2 1/2 hours but that they JUST left 1/2 hour before I got there. They did not even stay for the whole cultural show (plane to catch back to Mumbai) so thank G-d I didn't perform anyway! So this uncle calls the people who were with Mona & Gaurav and tells them that my parents are on the way to Newark Int'l. Airport with me & that they should wait before going to the gate. We get to Newark from Edison (about 20 minutes) and I go to the Air India check-in counter. MY LUCKY DAY!!! My REALLY close friend's mother, Rita Auntie, is the supervisor for Air India @ Newark and happens to be working today. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yourecrazyyoufreak/album?.dir= 841c&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//p g.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yourecrazyyoufreak/my_photos😃 I go up to her & ask her to help me out. She says, "Oh yeah, they arrived yesterday. He (Gaurav) came up to me & said 'I'm Nandu' so I started looking for the name Nandu on the flight roster but I couldn't find it." Lol. ANYWAYYY, so she says, "Yah, they should be here around 7/7:30PM for the 9:10PM flight."
***So we decided to wait & around 7:30PM, as we're all just hanging around talking to each other (my family & I), Mona & Gaurav arrive. YIPPIEEE!!! So we walked up to them, introduced ourselves, etc. & as it turns out, my parents knew the people they were with as well so everyone got to talking. I got to talk to them for 20 minutes one-on-one!!! Below are the highlights:
***First, I took pictures, of course. After that, I asked both of them to autograph my JJKN CD cover. Then, the first thing I asked Mona was WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THE SCRIPT!?!? She just laughed & said, "I have NO CLUE!" So I said to them, "You guys should really see what chaos has erupted from all of this." She's like, "From the wedding not happening?" I said, "Yes." (And this is where you guys come in!) I said, "You should really go online & check this website out: india-forums.com. If you really go into the JJKN General Discussion, you can see the audience reaction for yourself. There are people from all over, London, Canada, the US, India, & everyone is appalled @ the direction the story is going." So both Mona & Gaurav were like, "Really? It's that bad?" I said, "Yes, seriously. No one believes in the realism of the script. (And to Gaurav I said: Everyone's wondering where your airtime has gone...if all this has happened to Jassi, where is her best friend?)" So Gaurav said, "Yeah, I know, in reality I was shooting in Vancouver. What's the site again?" I said, "India dash forums.com...it'll really give you an insight into what everyone's feeling." So he said, "Really? I think I've been on there before. I know there's a Jassi Pals group on Yahoo! but I think I've been on India Forums as well." So I said, "Seriously, you should check it out." And then jokingly (but not really!) I said, "WHATEVER YOU DO MONA, PLEASE CHANGE THE SCRIPTTT!" 😉
***Next, my cousin was like, "You know it's so funny because you all don't know who we are but we feel like we know you so well." And Mona says, "Yah, that's true. It's like we have become a part of your lives." So I was like, "Yes, definitely. It's as if we have known you & the characters for ages personally." 😳
***Then I asked them when their movies were coming out & Gaurav's answer was that his film stops shooting in December & he said, "But I have a very little part in it." But I said, "It doesn't matter, I'm definitely going to watch it anyway." And Mona said that she BEGINS shooting in December & it will be a 40 day shoot. Then my mom asked her about what her future plans were, Bollywood-wise & whatnot & she smiled and said, "I'm not sure...I'll see how this first one goes." 😊
***Next topic was shopping! Apparently Mona was dying to go shopping when she came here so she was talking to us & Gaurav and was like, "I just really want to shopppp yaar." So the guy with them was like, "Yes Mona, see, your Duty-Free shop is right downstairs." And I was like, "Seriously, I understand. I can shop ANYWHERE! I went to a CVS pharmacy & spent $30 yesterday. There are ALWAYS things to buy!" So she & Gaurav started laughing. 😆
***At some point, my mom kept calling Gaurav by "Nandu" & so I was like, "Mom, stop calling him Nandu! I'm sure he doesn't want to be called Nandu everywhere! I wouldn't like it either!" So Gaurav looks @ me & says, "Do you know my real name though?" I was like, "DUHH. (Okay, I didn't say duh but you know...😛) Yes, of course, Gaurav." And he's like, "Oh! You do!" and started laughing. 😲😆
***Then we were talking about cell phones & how pretty soon, all cameras would become unnecessary as phones have cameras now & Mona said, "Yah I know. But I never allow for people to click from cells because you NEVER know what happens with those pictures. She's like but by the time I get the chance to say anything, they've already clicked!" So I said, "Yes, I know...even @ concerts now, instead of putting lighters in the air, people just use open their cell phones & hold them up. And even with pictures, most cameras even have a zoom function!" So she was like, "I KNOW! It's crazy!" 😛
***Then I asked Gaurav if the show was going to end anytime soon. His answer was, "No, I think it will probably still go on for some time." Then we asked Mona if she thought it would last very long & her answer was, "No, not too long now." So I asked if she meant that this would probably be the last extension & she was pretty much like, "Yeah, I don't think they will continue the show after the extension period ends." (SO I THINK WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MAY FOR A FINAL VERDICT!) 😕
***Then was the final & best part of the conversation: My mom said to Mona, "It's very nice to meet you. We are not the type of people who will run after stars like maniacs & it's so nice to see how accessible & friendly you are to your fans even after all of your success. Please keep it up, & keep up the spirit you all have with your fans. Good luck in everything." So Mona says, "WELL, IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU FANS THAT WE ARE EVEN HERE TO BEGIN WITH." 👏😛 YAYYY MONAAA!!!🤗👍🏼
***And she & Gaurav were so sweet together as friends. You can tell that they're close in real life 100%. The best was when they were laughing @ something & I heard Mona's giggle...I started laughing because it's SUCH a distinct laugh that I was just transported back to the old "Jassi" with the glasses & braces and all. Her voice is so distinct also, you would know right away that it's Mona. Plus, the poor pair looked SOOOO tired. 😭 Mona just flew into New Jersey yesterday (Saturday) for that dinner that I mentioned earlier & had to leave again for Mumbai in just one night (tonight=Sunday night) because she had to work. But even without an OUNCE of makeup, she still looked so pretty up close and BY THE WAY...FOR ALL THOSE WHO KEEP CALLING HER FAT IN ONE POST OR ANOTHER, SHE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT FAT @ ALL!!! She's tall & MUCH slimmer in real life as compared to on-screen so hopefully now, everyone will lay off of the poor girl! 😡
***Then I went to pee because I was dyingggg & Mona went to shop...I saw her & Gaurav downstairs as I left the bathroom to go to our car. ⭐️
***Overall guys, Mona & Gaurav are INCREDIBLY humble, modest, down-to-earth, sweet as ever people. My mom can't stand star "nakhra" EVER & now, even she's more in love with "Jassi" & "Nandu" than ever. After meeting them, I can even tolerate watching this new "Neha" avatar for this week (THIS WEEK ONLY!). The way they carried themselves was so dignified & respectable that despite what's going on on the show, you can't help but like them immensely. I was VERY happy with my encounter & now I'll defend Mona on this forum even more than I did before! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yourecrazyyoufreak/album?.dir= 841c&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//p g.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yourecrazyyoufreak/my_photos😃👍🏼
***I'm trying to post the pics here...but they're not working properly...if someone can PM me w/some help, then I'll put them up. Otherwise, you can go to:
GOOOOD NIGHTTTT & HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! 🤗
Siddhi
🐷
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
