If you know me long enough, you would know that I am a true Vijay Fan. All the way through intermediate, high school, uni and even today I don't fail to watch his movies. I remember watching Ninaithaen Vandhai (1998) and immediately being start struck :) He was cute and had a charming on screen personality. Over time Vijay has won the hearts of many Tamil fans around the world, and although he is a very shy person in life, he certainly doesn't show that in his acting.
Every time I have gone to India, I have tried my best to meet him, but as always he is away filming and even though I get close to meeting him (external factors have stopped me aka my mum). Finally on 5th April 2013 when I made an unplanned trip back to Sydney to see family, I found out that Vijay was there filming for his up coming movie, Thalaivaa. When I first heard about it, he had already starting shooting the weekend before my arrival and I thought surely the guy has left town by then, considering they rarely stay overseas filming for very long. I was so disappointed because there he was in my own backyard (and I was a few days too late)! But the day after I landed, my mother in law used her contacts (bless her!!) and found out that he was filming near the Sydney Convention Centre in Darling Harbour 9-5pm for 5 days!!! I was literally jumping up and down around her house :)
Straight after she finished up, I got changed and dragged Dineish out to Darling harbour (at 4pm) hoping to catch a glimpse of him before they wrapped up for the day. When we got there, it was not too crowded, maybe about 50 people and filming crew. I went and positioned myself opposite to Vijay's tent and watched/stalked him.
They were filming a dance routine with the back up dancers and Vijay only came out when the choreographer was happy to shoot. A few times Vijay noticed Dineish and I, and finally when I rucked up the courage to wave at him he smiled (that signature Vijay smile) and waved right back. Thats when the crew walked over and asked him if I could have a photo but his stupid PR said no :(
I think we were lucky to stand where we were that arvo. Because until about 5:30pm I was in very close proximity to where Vijay was filming and had the best view where he could see me (and how desperate I was to see him and take a photo).
After 5:30, the people from work and school started turning up and I was getting very anxious. The crowd suddenly grew and the chances of getting a photo was very slim! I knew he wouldn't take a photo with everyone and if I wasn't at the front it was unlucky. So close, yet so far.
Dineish and his brother (Dhilip), who came to share my excitement when to get drinks and I was left with 2 cameras to take photos with. Right at this point they finished shooting and the crowds ran towards Vijay. The crew told people to line up and my instinct was to do the opposite, I squeezed/pushed in line and tried to get my best to get as close to Vijay as possible. No way was I going to get this close and miss the opportunity. I got on the phone to Dineish who came running down and got ready to take a photo as there were only 2 little girls in front of me. I honestly thought we had it in the bag (excitement level was soaring and my heart was beating so fast!!!). He took about 10 photos with fans at this point and then OUT OF NO WHERE HE STOPPED AND STARTED WALKING AWAY!!
You don't know how I felt...I can't even explain it...even thinking about it now makes me panic for no reason, but its like winning the lottery only to find that there was a mistake in one of the numbers! You think you have it, but then you actually dont!
As he walked away, his security walk around him and Dineish told me to run behind him. Out of nowhere my confidence increased and I ran behind Vijay and shouted "Aiyo Vijay, orae oru photo please!". I am not sure why, but he stopped short of his tent walked back took a photo with me and left :) I was so lucky! Thanks to Dineish pushing me to run after him and maybe because I spoke in Tamil. Whatever it was I am so happy and can't stop looking at the photos :D
The few moments with him went buy super fast and all I think I said was thank you so much. One of the Aussie crew guys, also shouted out "Come on mate, this girl has been waiting around for you all day!". Even though that was a complete lie (and there were younger girls there who had been waiting out for a few days straight), I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet my favourite actor and childhood sweetheart/crush!
Here are some photos from his latest movie currently being shot in Sydney, Thalaivaa.
xS
(Vijay's no.1 fan)
