Dr.RajKumar

As I was getting ready to start my long day this morning, my phone rang. It was from my sister. It was unsual for her to call so early .... either because she is not up herself or is getting busy with morning chores. But no... today was wednesday .... she had her school in the morning. So it was even more unlikely for her to call me.
I answered the phone and she didn't say .... she screamed ..."Did you hear .. Dr.Raj is no more " It didn't register immediately ! My mind went blank ... she repeated again. I was too busy in my world to react ... she was busy too so she hung up. I didn't think too much about it during the day ... in fact I couldn't afford to ... my meetings, discussions, chatting, email kept me busy the whole time. And then it was time for our late night calls with the India team.
Thats when it dawned on me, that Bangalore office would be closed on account the tragic dealth. I finished my calls with other teams in different locations and finally got to sit and think back about the events of my day. (I usually do this before going to bed) As I was recollecting my bad, I remembered, the tragic death ... I just couldn't get past it.
I have not been a huge fan of Dr.Raj but I do realise what he means to a whole lot back in Karnataka. He is an iconic figure there. I have myself appreciated his acting skills in some of the old movies like "Kasturi Nivasa", he did a commendable job in "KrishnaDeva Raya" (though I think Pantulu got an edge as far as I was concerned). He was not a good dancer and had refrained from it in most of his movies. (in the recent ones he attempted, lets just say I wasn't impressed) I would have to admit, that no body could utter the dialogues with such authority and clarity like him in Mythological / Historical movies. (especially his sons) (though I appreciated Pantulu earlier, I cannot imagine him as "Krishnadevaraya").
I am sad with his death ... one of the most Iconic stars of Sandalwood is no more !