The Wareblog

Every now and then I end up realizing – “You are but a small fry..!”, almost as if The Almighty himself is speaking those words right into the innermost corridors of my ears.

I remember that fateful day of April, 1993 when I was idling away surfing channels and suddenly saw this message flashing across – “A tribute to Divya Bharti”, I had a few thoughts myself of what was being conveyed here, but being in the third standard at that time I ran across to my sister asking her what had happened. She seemed to freeze and moments later told the unacceptable –

Divya Bharti was no more.

I don’t care what the reasons leading to this tragic event were. None of that is going to help us get her back. But all I know is Divya was a great actress and an even more charming face. For years after she has left us, fans across the world have played their part in keeping her spirit alive. Today, it really makes me wonder how passionately fans can keep their idols alive for years together – long after they’re gone.

So why all this blue talk?

Well, more than blue, it’s about being distraught at the news I received today – “Lisa Ray is battling multiple myeloma”.

Again, Lisa Ray has been an epitome of beauty for a great many over the past decade or so. I recall having seen her for the first time on a Zee Television flick named Hanste Khelte (in a song sequence – “O meri Rekha…”) and have been an ardent fan ever since.

While I have obviously sat through all her movies (including Kill Kill Faster Faster) and found her grow as an actress every single time, I have also admired the poise and ethereal nature of her beauty. Lisa Ray has always been that perfect manifestation of woman perhaps generations (or at least generations of genuine fans & admirers!!) would swear by.

It then does not help in any way to come face to face with such a piece of news from the least expected quarters. It’s one thing to appreciate and express solidarity with Lisa for being bold in her fight against cancer but what is simply not digestible is the fact that things go wrong for reasons unexplained and more importantly, on subjects unasked.

That brings me back to being a small fry.

While I read my prayers and express faith in the Almighty to bring Lisa back to her glorious self and endow her with scores of years to grace our fan-fury longings (Yellow Talks Rock - And You Know Who This Is For..!!) , I also keep that doubt alive in the corner of my heart – is there always an event about to unfold that bluntly puts across that we are only mortals and no more?

I guess.. or maybe not.. or perhaps, I just don’t know..!