ONE
STEP MORE TOWARDS THE DREAM
By now everyone around knows how crazy we are for
DEEPIKA PADUKONE. We can do anything for her. Already after an insane risk we
saw DEEPIKA and SRK for the first time in our life. The greatest day of our
life. When it comes to them we lose our mind and our heart start taking all the
decisions (and however stupid they might be they seem PERFECTLY right to us.)
As we have shared our first experience of seeing
them we would like to share the experience of seeing them again, watching them
perform live, exploring the sets of CHENNAI EXPRESS (now its RECORD EXPRESS/AZADI
EXPRESS/FAMILY EXPRESS) And also a little bit of drama that took place in this
journey.
So let’s begin the journey…
First time when we had been to Wai, we would have
returned empty handed if Nitin uncle had not helped us. From that time we were
in touch with him. He had told us that there was another schedule of CHENNAI
EXPRESS in Feb of 40 days and he would let us know when they arrive. Beyond our
madness he is the reason why we could achieve so much. In the start of Feb we
called him., he said the shoot has been postponed to 15 Feb., after few days he
called us and told that shoot is started, and as usual our crazy plans started
building up. Again we had lost our minds. This time we decided that we won’t go
in rush a stay there for a day, so after discussing and planning we decided
that we will leave on 16th and be back on 17th march.
Finally the day arrived. All set as planned we met
at the hostel then we went home(Yuvraj’s) n left from there. The shoot was in
WAI and the Hotel they stayed was in PANCHGANI (13 KM from each other), we
don’t have direct bus to Panchgani or Wai from Kolhapur. We took the bus to PUNA and left KOLHAPUR at
12:30 am. We were going to get down at SATARA and then take the bus to
PANCHGANI from there. Uncle had told us that DEEPIKA and SRK were staying at RAVINE
hotel in PANCHGANI. And we started our journey. When we both are together
always our chats are full of DEEPIKA and SRK. We usually get tired of
travelling, but we were so excited and busy talking about them and what would
happen that we didn’t even realize when we reached SATARA.It was 4pm by now, We
decided to go to Panchgani because the shoot usually ended by 6pm and we could
catch SRK and DEEPIKA at the Hotel. After we got down at Satara and enquired
for the PANCHGANI bus, it was our lucky day it was already on stand and ready
to leave in few minutes. Heart’s pumping with double rate as we left SATARA coz
again in some time we would be so close to DEEPIKA and SRK. For a while we felt
that people next to us would get bored by our continuous chatter, but who
cared?? However hard we would have tried we wouldn’t be able to control our
excitement.
We reached Wai now just a ghat had to be crossed to
reach PANCHGANI hardly half hour road. Again we started planning what were we
going to do next. We reached PANCHAGANI... The atmosphere over there is so
awesome we just loved it..Actually we had eaten nothing but we were not in our senses
to feel it. We enquired a bit and got the directions for RAVINE hotel. It was
nearby and we preferred to walk and it was an awesome feeling in that lovely
environment of PANCHGANI. We finally were standing in front of the hotel eyes
wide opened and admiring everything and imagining stupid stuff.
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Hotel Ravine |
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Hotel Ravine |
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Hotel Ravine |
It was 5:30 pm by now, One of the employees was out and we asked him whether DEEPIKA and SRK were there. He told us that they still had not returned. We waited there for a long time then around 7Pm we called uncle he told that shoot might go on till 9pm so they will be late. So we decided to have dinner and be back in sometime. Outsiders were not allowed in RAVINE so we again walked down to market. We thought of tweeting DEEPIKA and SRK that we are waiting for them.. Then we headed for dinner. We placed our order and spotted a gift shop next to it. Our crazy mind struck and we thought of getting a card for them. We got the card and until our order was placed we placed our feelings on the card.
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OUR GREETING FOR DEEPIKA |
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OUR GREETING FOR DEEPIKA |
After having dinner again we walked towards RIVINE. I really enjoyed the atmosphere there…Now we were like two restless kids waiting outside the hotel.. it was almost 11. We called uncle and he said that they had left the sets. Waiting waiting wating and someone told us that DEEPIKA had already reached hotel. Felt bad totally disappointed and just then
“THE KING” passed by in his BMW. Simple white shirt
and his red framed specs he is always that charming… That was enough to boost
our spirits. We had enough to talk for the night. Must say SRK never made us
wait too much, but DEEPIKA Ohhh..! She always made us wait wait wait and after
that wait, her smile gave the worlds happiness.
We were still outside the hotel in all the
excitement even for sec had not thought of our safety. We still had didn’t book
the hotel and it struck our mind this late. We were still thinking and uncle
called us to ask where we were, we just told him that we were outside the hotel
and said wait there and in no minutes a crew car was at the gate to receive us.
FROM HERE THE SURPRISES BEGIN. We were almost in the car then we thought of
leaving the Greeting card at the reception and requesting them to deliver it to
DEEPIKA. We placed the card and requested them to give it to here (but were not
sure that they would do it). We got into the car and left to WAI. Uncle stayed
in WAI. We didn’t want to bother him but he wasn’t ready to listen. The car we
got into was a RED CHILLES crew car and we were just staring at the RED CHILLES
ID card hanging in the car.
We reached WAI and uncle was waiting with their bike
for us. Then hopped onto the bike and preceded towards their house. We reached
home almost by 12. Aunty was busy cooking. We got to know that she was cooking
for us. We told them not to do so coz we already had food. Then we all sat for
a while busy talking. Something struck uncles mind and he called someone. Spoke
for a while and hung up the phone. Then he told us that he had made the
arrangements for us to enter the sets. We were going to enter the sets as
junior artist. We were like completely blank and also overwhelmed. While
leaving from Kolhapur we discussed about what would happen if we enter the sets
and what if we get a chance like junior artists… and that was really happening.
We could not believe ourselves. Then uncle told us about WAI. He told us that
Swades, Gangajaal, Dabang 1 and 2, Bol Bachan and many more old films were shot
here. We also got to know about few ads which were shot there. We were shocked
to know that after so many years WAI was now coming into spotlight. When it
comes to movie we could go on talking for the whole night. WAI has such great
history of BOLLYWOOD. They even told us that the Great Madhuri Dixit came to
their house once. Aunty told us that tomorrow morning we could go out n explore
the place and we went to sleep.
Next day morning we woke up at eight. Uncle had 2
kids. Aunty asked his elder son to show us the place around. We hadn’t even freshened
up. We took our tooth brush and on the way brushing our teeth explored the
place. And surprise after surprise the moment we stepped out next to it was the
houses were a scene of Swades was shot. Then a bit ahead was the place were most
of Gangajaal and swadesh was shot.
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Place Where Swadesh and Gangaajaallast scene were shot |
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Place Where Swadesh and Gangaajaallast scene were shot |
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Place Where Gangaajaal last scene were shot |
Every step we were going gaga over the place. The places
where the Gangjaal last fight was shot, we were standing over their brushing
our teeth :p We freshened up in the same river water and left from there. There
were many more places we saw there.
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A 300 Years old tree in wai |
After coming
home we got ready till then aunty had prepared breakfast and tea. we had it and
were ready to leave the place. Along this journey we met this very sweet family
which we will always be grateful to.
Now excitement at its peak. We were
going to enter sets that too we would be able to go around. Along the way uncle
showed us various places and told us the history of wai. We knew by any means
this would be the best day of our life. We almost reached the sets. Uncle got
us down before the check point and told us to wait coz he was going to arrange a
car for us. We seriously didn't know what was going to happen next. Then a car
came we sat into it uncle instructed us that if anyone asks tell them that u
are from …… Sirs crew. And then we made our grand entry on the sets :p . We got
down and uncle showed us the entire set. Must say the amount of effort people
take to make up a film is truly remarkable. Every house every road every shop
the temple was built up but it seemed real. A complete village was built up
there.
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Chennai Express Set |
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Chennai Express Set |
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Chennai Express Set |
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Meena's House |
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Meena's House |
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Chennai Express Set |
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Chennai Express Set |
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Chennai Express Set |
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Chennai Express Set |
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This Time we saw them in these Avatars |
Then
we went to the RED CHILLES food corner were all the CREW members have their
food. We met ….. Sir whom we were supposed to be with. Then we got to know that
SRK and ROHIT SHETTY were coming. We sat in one of the shop(and it was a Halwai
shop) on the set next to the road from where they were going to come. And
vvvrrroommmm the cars sounded and again in no time we had seen SRK… We were
sitting in the shop and suddenly one of uncle’s colleague said that we could
get into the costumes so that we could go around the sets without being
noticed. It was a good idea coz we were in Jeans n T-shirts and everybody else
were in Lungies. Here we got separated
YUVRAJ :- So now I was in a Lungi and white T-shirt
totally a south Indian…All the people were called near Meen’s house…
And there She
was in Violet Sari talking with Rohit, as soon as I saw her Venetia Sarll’s
words struck me, must say she perfectly described Deepika “like a Gazelle, with
a huge Hazel eyes” , So beautiful, So pure, A beauty which cannot be compared
with anything. I was seeing her second time but this time no jewelry so more
Deepika. Too many people were walking in between us and I was trying in every
possible way to look at her continuously.
We both didn’t knew DP had came earlier, so
wanted to tell Jin, she was away from me, somehow I got her attention, I was
trying to tell her DP is here in sign language but she was not getting it at
the end she called me..While we were talking SRK arrived on his bike.,n this
idiot raised her hand towards SRK n shouted “Aaaa” and SRK looked at her and
came towards the set..
After SRK arrived, they
made us stand in a formation, I was in the 3rd row seeing SRK and
Deepika right in front of me., Deepi was standing left to SRK and we all (Crowd
) were standing behind her ,again today not more than 10 steps away… they
rehearsed the shot 2-3 times. SRK was to deliver the dialogues, he rehearsed
with Deepi and making a man stand in
front of him assuming he was Meena’s father after that we were told to sit back
n when the shots ready they’ll call us back..at last everything was in order
and the shot was ready we were called….
It was the scene when Rahul brings back Meena
home at the end... As u all have seen in
the movie when they both get out of the car DP talks to SRK after that SRK goes
to Meena’s father very angry starts talking to Meena’s father then goes to
Tangbali threatens with him and turns towards Meena and her Father”…
‘Right from when he goes to Meena’s father
till he turns after threatening Tangbali’ he delivered the whole dialogue in
one go and it was perfect, there wasn’t a retake... As u have all seen it even
had Tamil lines in it still he did it perfectly in one go. I was so stunned and
feeling so lucky that I saw SRK Acting in front of me live... What could I have
asked more...It was the moment of my Life... There is no better sight in the world
than this… this was a close shot now they were going to take a wide shot of the
same scene… so they told to have rests
after the shots ready they will call us again..
JINISHA :-
The worst part of getting into costume was that I had to were a south Indian
dress which I never were coz being a sort of tomboy I just love my jeans. But I
could do anything for DEEPIKA. I finally agreed and left to change. Yuvraj had
to were a white shirt and lungi. He was already wearing a white shirt so he
just had to tie a lungi over his jeans and was pretty comfortable with it. I
could not believe myself that I was actually doing this but I had already done
it. I was ready in the dress and came back to sets. I didn’t feel nervous at
all.
As we were
back on sets the shot was ready and the director asked everybody to take their
positions. we were just standing then Sir told us that go and join the shoot enjoy ur day to the fullest.
We were on cloud nine. Yuvraj got a place right at the main scene were SRK and
DEEPIKA were. And I was sitting with other girls as they right now didn’t had
any part. After sometime Yuvraj called he was trying to tell me something in
sign language as he was a bit away from me but I could not get him. it was a
very funny moment. I then called him from where I was sitting and he told me
that he was trying to tell me that he DEEPIKA was already present on the sets.
He was right behind her. He was describing her hair, her beauty and we were
busy on phone and just then a heard a bike sound. As I turned around to see what and who it was I
was completely numb when I actually saw what and who it was. It was THE SRK on
bike getting onto the sets. White T-shirt white shirt denim jeans along with
his ray ban on a red hot bike. Anyone could have died just by looking at his
charm. Same thing happened to me. I was not able to speak. He
used to go around on sets freely as security was very tight. We had heard about
it but were not expecting it to experience it so lively. The moment I saw him
my hand rose automatically to show him to Yuvraj. I was right in front of SRK
the moment my hand raised he looked at me and I was like dead. I was not a part of this world. I was in my
own awe n SRK had reached the sets. I was not able to believe what had just
happened. SRK had noticed me. [As
SRK reached the set shoot began. Just then the crew member with whom I was
sitting asked me to join them to have the cold drink refreshment which was made
available on the sets. Proper care is taken of each and every member on the
sets, spot boys keep on moving with water bottles and other required stuff. I
accompanied them to have the cold drink. When I was coming back to my place,
someone called me. For a moment I was scared that I might be caught but then I
was normal. That man asked me from where I was and all other general questions.
And then the expected one that whose crazy fan I was?? I told him how I admired
both of them. He then told me that he was the security head there and he would
arrange my meet with SRK and DEEPIKA. He introduced me to someone and told me
that he would take me to them. I told him that I was here with my friend he
said it was ok but just don’t bring along a group. I couldn’t thank him enough,
when I was leaving he told me that I reminded him of someone and asked me
whether I had submitted my portfolio. I told him that I am just here to see
them.
Yuvraj came to me after the shot we
both were so excited and shared our experience. He was telling about DEEPIKA
and I was telling him about SRK and my stupid stuff. I was also scared for a
while that I might be thrown of the set for my reaction. I told him about the
person who was going to help us. Even he could not believe our luck. Then we
went for lunch...
We Both came back together......
We were having our lunch in one of the House on
sets, and we heard few chatters at the back of the house and at the back it was
just curtain not a wooden wall. we just pepped outside and DEEPIKA was having her lunch. Even NIKETEN
DHEER ( Tangaballi) was present there. We just took a photograph of her from
behind without being noticed.
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Deepi's pic (find DP if u can) |
Our stomach
was full not because of food but DEEPIKA. We met uncle in between and came back
and sat on the sets. After some time the scene was going to be shot. Everyone was
given the position. Now we were standing close by. When everything was ready
DEEPIKA entered in her car. She got down and when in. Last time the person who
had let us stay and helped her with her sari was again with her and noticed us.
He had a huge question mark on his face after seeing us, then he left after
leaving DEEPIKA and left. THEN SRK entered, positions were taken by everyone,
few rehearsals were taken and then the final shot began. It was ROHIT SHETTY
saying “Sir ready? ( it was for SRK) DEEPIKA ready? Lights camera action… ” In
no seconds SRK got into his character and started saying the dialogues. The
scene was same as described above(Yuvraj part)this time they were gona take a
wide shot of the same scene but from when DP-SRK get out from the car. [DEEPIKA
had to stand still]. SRK WAS fully in character and suddenly someone said
“laughing doll” and the shot was cut DEEPIKA could not control her laughter she
was giggling. That voice echoed into our ears like bell. We had seen her
naughtiness just in makings and that was happening live. We could see her right
in front of us. She had put her head down and was smiling in between this
serious scene.
JINISHA :- Yuvraj was to my left and he could not see
her entirely so I was giving him the live commentary. and people around us were
looking at us.
YUVRAJ :I could see her but in pieces sometimes I
could see her hair , her arm sometimes her head…Ahhh..!!we were told to stand
still but I was moving, struggling to see her..
Again the shot began, ROHIT gave the orders, SRK
into full character and again ROHIT said onto the mike “ ye DEEPIKA has rahi
hai bhai” and the entire serious scene had turned to a laughter show. No one
could control. She is very lively person and the naughtiest one also. She said to
SRK “Sorry Sorry I promise it won’t happen again”. SRK didn’t mind it and said
it was ok and DEEPIKA replied to him “I Love u for that.” Again the shot
begins, and she does it again , this time SRK stares at DP with a smile...The
scene was serious but because of our little DP cameo it turned to be Fun, no
one could stop laughing…When everything was normal the shot begun again ROHIT
gave the orders Sir ready? DEEPIKA ready? Lights camera action… ” and the shot
was perfect this time. After the shot was done they needed some background
shots so everyone was told to stand still and the shot was taken.
When everything was done we just
sitting and uncle came to call us we had to leave it was already 4 we had to
leave to Kolhapur. We told uncle that someone had told us he would help us to
get the autograph but we actually didn’t knew his name and it would be a risk
to him so he said its better we leave and the shoot would go on till late so we
had no chance. We changed the costumes returned them and left. We don’t at all
want to leave but had to. Feeling sad going back empty handed again was the
worst feeling. Uncle left us at the station and told us that he would inform us
if he has any further news. We enquired about the bus it was after some time. It
suddenly reminded us of our Greeting we had left for her at the hotel, so we
just to took a chance and called at the hotel, and they said that they had delivered
it. We thought for a while and then decided to go to PANCHGANI at the hotel to
ask about the card again. We didn’t want to leave like that. We caught a taxi
and went to hotel. We met a man there who was a cook there he spoke to us for a
while and told us to go inside directly but we were a bit afraid coz we had no
booking there and we might not be allowed inside., the man went inside and came
back after 5min and said its ok and then took us into the hotel. We said we
could wait at the garden for them. At every step of this journey we met so
helpful people whom we can never forget. We went into the garden it was just
next to DEEPIKA’s room.
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Deepi's Room just behind the curtain |
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Deepi's room n the fountain where SRK DP ROHITwere sitting till 3pm on Rohit's B'day |
The
cook told us that ROHIT SHETTY’s birthday was celebrated in same garden and the
trio was sitting here(The fountain in above pic) till 3pm that day. He had to
leave coz he had his duty. We went along the garden had some photographs and
were enjoying there. It was getting dark. The set was right down the ghat and
we could see it from the Hotel garden. It was lighted with lights. We saw cars
leaving the set and figured out that they be here in some time.
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The Lights on the right is the CE set |
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This is how we saw them at the Hotel(Both without Makeup) |
We
were waiting for them it was around 8 when DEEPIKA arrived at the hotel. Her
AUDI was right in front of us. It stopped then the same person who is always
with her opened the door for her. She got down. She was wearing a black purple
top n black three forth. She got down climbed two steps and entered her room.
There were two of them one who opened the door for here and the other was
getting her luggage in. He had something in his hand and we noticed it was the
same card which we had placed for her at the reception. He was handing it over
to the person who is always with her and told him that it was for DEEPIKA MAM.
[Jinisha:
The moment I saw it I started shouting to Yuvraj our card our card. I told him
to talk to that person and get the card from him.]
We
went to him and told him that it is our card and we wanted to make some changes
in it. We wanted to write in that we are still waiting for u DEEPIKA. We asked
him if could get us autograph from her. He said yes and then asked us from
where were we. He told us that he was surprised to see us but didn’t remember
where he had seen us. Then we told him the whole story. We gave the card and
photograph on which we wanted the autograph and he said he would do it. That
time we got to know he was her personal bodyguard and we were shocked and
stunned. We were so happy.He went in and returned after some time and told us
that DEEPIKA was going to have a nap and then she had her gym schedule so it
would take time. He asked if we could wait till then we said yes. We asked if
he could get us SRK’s autograph but he said for that we had to meet his
bodyguard.
After sometime SRK arrived he waved hie to all of
them waiting there and left to his room. We met his bodyguard but he refused.
He was so rude. The cook who had met us outside came and asked us if everything
was ok. We told him what had happened and thanked him for his help. We were
waiting for DP’s autograph in the garden next to her room..
We then thought of having dinner so we headed to the
city. We had some noodles and then thought of looking for hotel. All the hotels
were full or out of our budget. We didn’t know what to do. Till then around 11
we got a call that the autograph was done and we could collect it. We asked him
to place it at the reception but he said he will personally meet and give it to
us. We reached the hotel and called him back. He came with the photograph and
yes it was autographed.
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Our Autograph |
It was written “DEAREST JINISHA AND YUVRAJ. LOTS OF
LOVE” and her autograph. IT was in our hand. SRK’s dialogue from OSO “Tumne
kabhi 7ve asman ko dekha hai yahan mere kadmo me” we were feeling the same way.
Then he talked to us for a while introduced him to
us. His name was KARTIK. He was ready to take us to DEEPIKA the next day on
sets but we couldn’t stay. He then told us that there was some part of shoot in
SATARA also and he would help us out there. We even got to know this that the hotel had given our greeting to Deepi in the morning and she was carried the Greeting with her in her car and on the sets. We were stunned we never expected this, what to say on this we are totally speechless..We then left the hotel thanking him
to the fullest.
The moment we stepped out we started shouting with
joy. We had to control our excitement inside the hotel. We were just repeating
again and again what was written on the photo by her for us. By now we had
completely forgotten that we had no place to stay. When we were back to our
senses we decided to wait on the stand for the night as it was almost 12 get
the first bus in the morning and leave. With this plan in mind we were walking
towards the stand and then suddenly a police officer called us from behind. We
were scared. He asked us from where we were, why we were here??? We told him
everything. He scolded us for taking such a risk just to see a shoot and get a
autograph. He suggested us to get down to WAI and stay there at PANCHGANI
station was bit risky. We said sorry to him and then left. We got a lift as no
buses were available by then and got down at WAI stand. It was quite big and
safe. Police had to take rounds after some time as the securities were
increased because of the Delhi rape case. Around one two policemen came onto
the stand for their round. Again the same question the same answers. They let
us stay there but told us that senior men will come later and u have to answer
them. We were restless by now, scared too. We were still sitting and talking and then one
of the policemen came and told us that we have to go to the police station, the
senior officer had called us. Now we were shivering with fear. We asked the two
men was anything serious they said you can wait there. When we reached there the
senior officer called us in. He hammered us with questions. He had a feeling
that we had eloped from house. (On this we controlled our laughter coz it was
something we had never even thought of) He asked our id proof. Then we told him
that we were in WAI since yesterday. Then he asked where we had stayed last
night. With no choice we had to drag uncle in the matter. He told us to call
uncle and told him to come here. Uncle knew nothing of this but had to come
immediately. When uncle came he asked what our relation with them was. Uncle
told him that we had met him on sets and he had helped us out. He then told us
to call our parents. It was no chance that we could call our parents this late.
While leaving the stand we had already called Karthik and asked him to help us.
We told him that in case we would call him and he has to speak like our dad. He
agreed immediately. And same thing happened. We called him and he handled the
matter perfectly. And the officer left us with uncle. We said sorry to uncle
for all what had happened. They were pretty cool with it. They knew what kind
of person the officer was. We then reached home told uncle and aunty what the
story was. Now we were able to laugh at it but some time before we were
completely in a mess.
Next day morning we woke up and left the house by
7.30. This time uncle personally confirmed that we were in the bus and told us
to inform when we reach. We got our tickets and we were in the bus and the
proof of our craziness was in our hands the photograph autographed by our angel
DEEPIKA and a promise to our selfs that next time we won’t go unless we meet
DEEPIKA!!!!
