I have written about hundreds of people(sadly, I write for a living), their stories. I don’t normally find myself devoid of words to explain/express how I feel. With Aditi, it is more of ineffable love that never ceases. Still, I end up writing the same old crap and those boooring essays. There should really be an easy way to this.
A zillion years ago, I randomly watched her first film in Tamil perhaps was forced to watch because my granny was so into Bharatanatyam. Lesser did I know that I would end up falling for Aditi. She was super young, and I was like this tiny kid.
Years later, Those days, we didn’t have social media. You would come to know about the films through the Newspapers and the television. In Chennai, they had these channels that would keep playing five to six songs in order like every single day. Genda Phool was one of them. I was so excited to find Aditi in the song, and I watched the film just to see her. It was more like seeing someone you know already, someone who is more of a household name.
The craze for Rockstar film was just phenomenal. The music and the artists were just too good. Oh yes. I was glad to see Aditi once again. Months later, the song “Voh Dekhnay Mein” was everywhere. It was my caller tune for like months. I remember making my dad go to places to buy the DVD. Lalitha Krishnan still remains one of my favourite characters. It actually took me years to realize that Aditi sang a couple of songs in the film. I had the Janice ‘Oh My God’ moment. Soon, I made sure to watch all her films that I couldn’t catch earlier.
People who know me know that I love Chinmayi Akka. Now, imagine how Chinmayi singing to Aditi. It’s more like a dream, say it’s like a fresh coffee in the morning. ‘Sooiyan Sooiyan’ song has been sitting around in my playlist right from day one till today, and I’m sure it will be forever. Guddu Rangeela was the time when I became super crazy that I ended up picking up posters of Aditi.
Right from 2016, there isn’t no looking back. Wazir happened. Kaatru Veliyidai happened, Sammohanam and CCV happened. She drove everyone crazy through Mehrunisa. Antariksham, Psycho made heads turn.
2020 isn’t a good year, blame the pandemic, but Aditi found a way to entertain everyone through Sufiyum Sujatayum, V and of course, Kaathodu Kaathanen.
Watching Aditi onscreen makes me super proud. It’s like watching someone you know, someone close to your heart. There are these GRT banners near my place, and I know it’s crazy, but I’m super attached to that. I go there to see them whenever I feel low, confused. I made some serious life decisions there. I realize while writing that it sounds creepy as well as funny, but sometimes, things work in mysterious ways.
To me, Aditi is more than just films. I haven’t seen someone who this nice to everyone, this nice to fans. I have seen her interact with millions of fans out there and Fan Art Friday needs a special mention too.
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This lockdown was undoubtedly special to me. I mean, who would have thought that I would end up making GIFs for Aditi? I still have no idea why I did that. It was fun. It distracted me from all the demons I was fighting inside my head, and most importantly, after 12+ years of literally growing up with Aditi, she finally knows that I exist. Sometimes, social media is nice, eh? Hmm.
Happy Birthday, Aditi. Thank you for being the sunshine in my rain.
