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| Raahil Azam with Dilip Kumar |
December 11 was Dilip Kumar's birthday. And like every year, Raahil Azam went over to the actor's Pali Hill abode to wish him.
For the last three years, Raahil (who is stars in Paraaya Dhan), has been making the annual trip to the thespian's home. He considers Dilip Kumar his biggest hero. "I have never taken anyone's autograph in my life except his," he says.
Raahil calls the senior the original superstar of Hindi filmdom. "I've watched all his films. In fact, just sitting with him and hearing others talk about his films and dialogues is a learning experience."
Pehli mulaquat
His fascination for Dilip Kumar began "when I was a kid and Dilipsaab had come over to our home in Bangalore. All the elders in the family were his fans and there was such a buzz about his arrival."
Years later, when Raahil was acting in the fantasy drama Hatim, there was yet another connection. "All the seniors in the unit would tell me that my dress and appearance looked somewhat like Yusufsaab's in Aan. It was such a kick to hear that."
Hair apparent
It was yesteryear actress Baby Farida (who acted in Dilip Kumar's Ram aur Shyam) who first took Raahil to Dilip Kumar's home.
"It was on his birthday in 2004. Yusufsaab was sitting with some people and Sairaji came to greet us. Being a telly producer, she recognised me and told me that my hair reminded her of Sahib's (her name for Dilip Kumar) hair in Naya Daur. I was pretty kicked about it. If nothing, at least my hair!" Rahil gave him a specially made CD of his serial Hatim.
Now he visits the thespian every year on his birthday. "Last year, I gifted Yusufsaab a framed photo which I had taken earlier. And this year I presented him a trophy with his name inscribed on it. Though there are several people who come to greet him every year, both Dilipsaab and Sairaji remember me now," says Raahil, who has earlier featured in serials like Resham Dankh, Ye Meri Life Hai and Saarrthi.
And which is Raahil's fave Dilip Kumar film? "Though each one is unique, I particularly like Shakti," he says
http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2006/december/148443.htm
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