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May 29, 2006 |
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Backstage, with Salman Khan
There is another corridor leading off from the main one; that houses the lesser stars. There were labels for Esha Deol (room 8), Shahid Kapur (9), Shweta (12) and Zayed Khan (11) and Mallika Sherawat (spelt Shrewart, perhaps unintentionally, 13). It is not clear where Kareena Kapoor, the other big star and beau of Shahid Kapur, is located. Knock on any door and one of the security men rises, bares his teeth and growls ominously, "No one is allowed in there."
He's right. The closer you get to the vomitory that houses Salman and John, the harder it is to gain access. It takes a white band to get you into the main corridor, a blue one to enter the all-important vomitory, and a gold one to get into that sanctum sanctorum -- the room of the star you hope to meet.
In the first corridor, Akshay Bhansali, a news producer at MTV Asia, knocks back his long hair, concern clouding his brow. He slips off his saffron and green jacket emblazoned with the word, 'India.' He has interviews lined up with the actors, but can't see them now. The swelling roar from the stadium, the quickening Bollywood beat, doesn't help. He doesn't have a blue badge though, so he can't keep a closer eye on Salman and John. There's nothing to do, and nothing to eat or drink there. But in the stars' vomitory there is plenty of food on two tables: vadas -- some half-eaten and left in the foil -- and sambar, chicken tikka, kebabs...
The guard opens the door to Salman's room. Within, Salman, wearing only a pair of jeans and a sheen of sweat, looks out uncomprehendingly. The door closes.
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