There was a lot that was different about the Shamitabh press meet in Chennai.
It was held at a college stadium amidst thousands of students, not a movie theater. Dhanush decided to forego his veshti for a white shirt and grey trousers.
The press meet was short, and the crew offered smart and succinct answers. No long winded speeches.
And some things weren’t so different. Akshara Haasan wore an elegant black outfit. Dhanush twirled his mustache. And we had to wait two hours for the event to start.
Popular songs by Vijay, Ajith and (of course) Dhanush were screened as we waited with the students for the cast and crew to arrive. When they did arrive, Balki and his team kept it short and sweet.
We’re at #Shamitabh press meet. The stage’s all set. Atmosphere’s already electric. #live@dhanushkrajapic.twitter.com/vBROFNgmlX
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
We are. Indeed!
We’ve been listening to #Shamitabh songs over and over again. Speakers are being tested. But we can’t complain, you see #WeareRaajaloyalists
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
Can a college event be conducted without playing this song? We were not surprised.
The DJ has changed his mind. A quick dedication to @anirudhofficial and @dhanushkraja#whythiskolaveridi#Shamitabh#pressmeet#live
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
That’s news to us.
.@Bhavna__B asks who is #Shamitabh? @dhanushkraja says #Ilaiyaraaja is Shamitabh. #livepic.twitter.com/1LpVkDoucZ
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
“Acting is in her blood” – The phrase that Haasan sisters often hear.
.@AksharaHaasan1‘s character is tough to do. But acting is in her blood, says @dhanushkraja#Shamitabh#live
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
Akshara made an effort to speak in Tamil. Her broken Tamil sounded cute too.
.@dhanushkraja‘s performance in #Shamitabh is powerful, says @AksharaHaasan1#live
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
Balki adores Dhanush. He had a lot to say about the actor.
.@dhanushkraja is one of the most powerful, intelligent actors that Indian cinema has got, says #Balki. #Shamitabh #live
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
I wish I had met @dhanushkraja earlier in my life, says #Balki. #Shamitabh #live
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
What lies between @SrBachchan and @dhanushkraja is physics. And there is great chemistry between Dhanush and @AksharaHaasan1, says #Balki
— Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
Balki doesn’t miss an opportunity to tell us how great Ilaiyaraaja is.
To me, the definition of music is #Ilaiyaraaja, says #Balki. #Shamitabh#live — Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
And, the most important and exciting part.
Watch @dhanushkraja speak in @SrBachchan‘s voice. For the first time Amitji has given his voice to somebody else (Dhanush) says #Balki#live — Silverscreen.in (@silverscreenin) January 23, 2015
While we appreciated the event’s brevity, we were a bit disappointed that Amitabh Bachchan gave it a miss.
*****
