"Shot ready, Sir", I said politely.
He looked up at me with a sharp gaze taking his eyes off the black tea he was consuming.
" ചായ കുടിക്കാനും നീ സമ്മതിക്കില്ലേ? ", he said in that 'infamous Thilakan tone'.
" അയ്യോ! ചായ കുടിച്ചിട്ട് മതി Sir... ഞാന് ഇവിടെ wait ചെയ്തോളാം ".
A tiny smile appeared on my face as I completed that sentence since this seemingly rude old man reminded me of my late grandpa who was tough on the exterior but soft inside. As if to justify my thoughts he gave me a glimpse of something similar to a smile from the corner of his lips, took a bite off the ഉണ്ണിയപ്പം in his right hand & gulped down the tea in his left hand at one go. Taking help from his trusted lady assistant to get up he looked at me & said,
" വാ... പോകാം! ".
Those were the only words Thilakan sir ever spoke to me. We exchanged smiles a couple of times. That's about it. But it was more than enough for me to comprehend that here was a terribly misunderstood old man, simple & honest at heart, who at his younger age never cared a damn about being politically correct and was even more so at his old age.
R.I.P dearest Thilakan Sir....
I wish I had the chance to direct you someday! Sigh!
Pic taken on the sets of "Simhasanam" directed by Shaji Kailas.
