Getting used to fame

MUMBAI: “Arrey main Rohit Sharma ka daddy hoon,” protested Gurunath Sharma, father of Rohit Sharma - a little bemused — as the two rude and impersonal constables tried to stop him from entering his own flat. The Sharma household has seen a beeline of visitors in the past week but today the number has gone up considerably since his return. Hence the security.

The atmosphere is electric. Young children are running around and the stench of gunpowder from the firecrackers is unavoidable. The society members are revelling in this flush of attention. Everyone who’s ever been at sniffing distance of Rohit is being solicited for trivial anecdotes.

The much harried father, who is also doubling up as Rohit’s manager, however has been braving the media onslaught along with neighbours and even unknown strangers sans the age barrier. Like an elderly couple who put in a request, “We stay in the adjacent flat and just want to congratulate Rohit.”

And then there is a sprightly 11-year-old boy hunting for Rohit’s autograph. Rohit’s father turns them away as politely as he can. He himself has not been able to catch up with him much as his roving eyes are on the lookout for trespassers. The family insists Rohit has gone to sleep.

“He has been standing in the rain for more than five hours. Please come some other time, we shall chat in peace,” his dad promises.

If today’s scenes prevail for the next few days, peace won’t be that easy coming.