#8 Where are you from? Shahrukhistan! This question is quite expected in a place where tourism is the biggest business and the local salespersons will have to strike a conversation to get friendly and then sell whatever they are selling - carpets (Kilims), jackets, bags, sweets (baklava or lokums), porcelain, fridge magnets, spices, food, coffee, tea, gold jewellery, silver jewellery, pashmina, boat rides, guide books, maps, show pieces, football jerseys, shawls, lamps and literally everything that one could wish to buy (especially at the Grand Bazaar). This question if sometimes preceded or followed by how are you my friend or brother (used more often) in quick succession. Then they make their lethal stab at your most vital organ - your heart! Based on experience of years and of interaction with people from so many countries they take a guess, even before you decide to engage with the guy (or girl) and before you have chance to answer. It started at the airport for us with a girl who guided us to our bus and the moment she heard India, her face lit up with a smile and then she said Oh! Shahrukh Khan ! My name is Khan, Chennai Express, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, 3 idiots, Body Guard and of course, of course Mahatma Gandhi without a pause, all in the same breath! Two smiles came to my mind, the toothless grin of our father of the nation which beckons us from pictures which once used to dominate official walls and that enigmatic, charming, almost heart-breaking smile of Shahrukh which we have seen so often on TV ads, promotions and movies (strictly in that order!). Elsewhere in the streets of Istanbul people did confuse us for being from Pakistan or Bangladesh, to which S objected with a furore (jingoism) that would make the current government proud but I did not mind, as not more than few decades ago they were both parts of India (pseudo-jingoism!). One couple of days when it was windy and S had covered her head with a scarf we were mistaken to be Arabs and some guides even spoke to us in what must be Arabic before sensing the blank look on our faces. S blamed it solely on my facial hair (moustache and semblance of beard) and decided that I must shave it off, though for reasons unknown changed her mind later and was equally convinced that I should not. I and my laziness could not thank her more. Then there were beggars, all of whom claimed they are Syrian refugees and would first ask us if we were Arabs, then if we were Muslims and without waiting for refusal from S would go on a usual rant-cum-cry-cum-sales pitch that beggars do. Finally, on the fateful (fateful because S agreed to it only after I bought a Michael Kors bag for her and I dont remember when was the last time a bath made me so happy) day I went to a Turkish Hamam, the guy went on his usual routine of where are you from ... and on hearing my reply Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan.... And when I came out of my one hour of bliss said now Sharukh Khan happy! which S also corroborated by saying you look different, fairer and lovelier. She should have added for men! Anyways, if I meet Shahrukh, I will hug him, kiss him and wish him Happy New Year, I know he is already celebrating!! Photos by Soumya Mohanty
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 05:44:18 +0000
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