Finally meeting Actor Vijay :-)

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)

The other men in my life

Don't take me wrong, I love my husband, idolise my father and know that my brother will follow in their foot steps. These two and a half men will always have a special place in my heart, I am truly blessed.

I was watching Nanban the other night on Vasantham (Tamil movie, 2012) starring my all time favourite Tamil actor Ilaiyathalapathy Vijay. My first crush and the man I swore to my parents that I would one day marry. Looking back now, Vijay's not that great looking, but his on screen charm and cheekiness always made him attractive to me. Off screen, he has no personality, cannot speak for himself and gets real nervous.

Tamil actors aren't hot, in fact they aren't really that good looking at all. I can't even put them on the same playing field as their Bollywood counterparts and its embarrassing to compare their looks to the likes of Pitt, Clooney etc. For the majority, their talent is so-so and often over-shadowed by the cheesey punch dialogues and insanely impossible fight scenes. Tamil movies rarely do remakes of Hindi movies and can't be bothered making high-budget films. Tamil films are generally conservative and are too politically driven, not by actual politicians, but by the hierachy of actors themselves. And those who do make it big are only lucky once to be roped into Maniratnam's scripts.

Tamil cinema has produced some great films, but the ratio to movies made every year is so small...

Overtime, Vijay's movies have started to get repeatitive and I am so sick of him donning the role of Robin Hood, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. I mean seriously, I thought being an actor was about being versitile! Grrrrrr O_O I was so disappointed in him, in fact I still am. He used the excuse saying he enjoyed doing films because it reached out to the masses, but apart from fobby curry boys in Madras, everyone else was like 'WTF man!'. The 'dream' girls from neighbouring states accompanied him just so there was something pretty to look at during the songs, they lacked any real talent and in my opinion just used to arouse the adolescent boys stuck in their 20s (which reminds me, I would love to do a blog on FOB guys!).

Maybe Vijay doesn't have any real talent. I'm not so sure anymore. He hasn't done anything different or worthy of an award in the last 8-9 years, and although Nanban is a success, I don't think that his role was really challenging to say that he has made a come-back. He has so much potential, Shankar could have made better use of him else where. I don't know why I drag myself to the theatre to watch every movie he has been in. But being a true fan, I have hope.

Sorry, this wasn't meant to be a rant about Tamil films and Vijay...During highschool, I watch(ed) his movies and would often end up thinking (I still do) about 2 more guys:

• James Bond (portrayed by Danial Craig); and
• Will Smith

Craig as Bond - the not so talented Vijay - Will Smith

Daniel Craig

The 007 legacy was handed down to Craig in 2006 after Pierce Brosnan, where he has signed to take on the James Bond title for the next 4 films. Maybe he isn't the Bond that many of us have come to associate with - he's short, blonde and gave off that Russian, almost Vladamir Putin, look. So what if he doesn't have the same kick as his predecessors? He has made Bond more of a man! And God he is HOT *salvating! 

Growing up, my Dad introduced me to the world of Bond and I often wished of being a Bond Girl. It didn't bother me that he has a fling with every sexy woman he crosses and in fact, is most likely to be infested with aids. Sean Connory was fantastic, but he was getting a little to old for me. 

The first time I saw pictures of Craig on the net where he emerges from the water in those blue shorts for Casino Royale (which I love btw), I honestly thought I wouldn't mind seeing more of him! Initially, I was drawn to his looks, however having watched Casino Royale I changed my mind. The combinations of his emotions, appeareance and personal take on the role; he was just so 'edgy'. I really admired the way he made himself so vulnerable while romancing Vysper and again when he lost her; it really showed another side to Bond - cold, ironic and almost brutal.

I really love a guy who isn't afraid to show his soft side. I'm married now and can vouch, hands down, that my husband is not a softy, but he really does know how to keep me coming back ;) He's good looking, but its his personality that has me going and that is definately what I am attracted to. Put any man in a suit and tie and he'll look a million bucks, but if he doesn't have the personality, charm and respect, he's next to nothing in my book - honestly, he can be the most unattractive douche in town!
(I was lucky enough to have met Danial Craig in person (Quatum of Solace premiere, Sydney 2007) and though I don't know if he is a Bond in real life (ok maybe a little bit has made him)- but dammit he sure is a gentleman!).
Why can't Vijay be like that!?

Found this on the Danial Craig Fixation
http://thedanielcraigfixation.tumblr.com/post/19932351701?ref=nf

Will Smith

I like Will Smith for a different reason. He's a great looking guy and knows how to act, but I really admire him for making it big in Hollywood without so much drama. The way the media portrays him and the way he carries himself, Will is down to earth and 'keeps it real' regardless of being so successful and wealthy across various industries. He's multi-talented, intelligent, funny and motivated! And I admire that. He thinks the right way, remains so positive and determined in his outlook on life. Go and watch his interviews on YouTube! 

I see that he is very grounded with his wife and kids. He only chooses to play roles and make music that is appropriate for his children to see and hear. To me that makes me think that his values are more important than ANY amount of money he might be offered.

There are actors out there who want to reach out to their fans, but I see that Will wants to take it beyond them. He believes in the greater change and that it starts with himself and his family and it don't bother me if he was the guy running around in his black suit and chasing aliens (MIB III out in 2012) or told the world about 'gettin' jiggy with it'!

Will’s phenomenal success is no feat of chance, but a result of his empowering beliefs, his passion for excellence, and his appetite to live life to the fullest. I see he believes in similar things that my dad has told growing up and although I was naive to listen to any of it at the time - being married and thinking about having my own family, I hope that one day I will achieve big things with them. I don't need to racking in the money or an actor, but at the end of the day having morals and the conscious of self realisation and doing good and succeeding with what I have been blessed with is what matters. If I can be half of what my dad is today, I'd walk away a happy woman :)

So is it fair to conclude that this makes Will Smith an attractive man? I think so and not to mention my dad's not bad either.

Vijay won't become either of these guys...

Looking at Daniel Craig and Will Smith, I think I am more attracted to Will Smith - he's got the best package. If only there were more men like that in the world...