Ambareeshanna reaches out to star-struck fans

Mandya‘SakkareNaadu’AmbareeshAmbareeshannaLast week, accompanied by actors Yash and Prem, the Rebel Star filed his nomination papers. On Tuesday, Darshan canvassed for him in Mandya city, accompanied by Sumalatha, Ambi’s actress-wife. But it’s the villages that the ‘Mandyada Gandu’ takes by storm when he embarks on a whirlwind tour in an open jeep. The cine star seeks votes not only for himself, but also for LD Ravi, who’s contesting from adjoining Melkote constituency. Accompanied by his close aides, the ‘Kaliyuga Karna’ leaves his bungalow, adjacent to Mysore-Bangalore highway, at 11.30am. He first visits B Doreswamayya, an influential person, in Ashoknagar and spends a few minutes with him. Escorted by two police vehicles, he then proceeds to the residence of KM Channegowda in H Kodihalli, where the KJP leader joins the Congress. Ambareesh then takes a quick break in his ancestral home ‘Thotti Mane’, relishes a dosa with a small cup of coffee, before continuing on his trail. Along the way he is greeted with arati, bursting of crackers and huge garlands. Rathnamma, a gram panchayat member, touches the actor’s feet. It is 12.15pm. The real campaign begins when Ambareesh hops into an open jeep along with LD Ravi, from Yelooramma temple in H Malligere, and criss-crosses Mandya and Melkote constituencies. Negotiating potholed and dusty village roads, small towns and hoblis, he addresses roadside meetings. He strikes an instant chord with the locals as he breaks into conversation in their dialects. Amid the hum, Ambi identifies a youth by his name. “Krishne Gowda, the last time I came here you had a beard. You’ve removed it?” The youth is awestruck by Ambi’s memory power. At Machahalli, the star takes another small break. A 70-year-old man walks up to him and asks, “Naanu yaaru gotha?’’ Ambareesh looks at him and says: “Mysore.” The man stands surprised. He is Dr Nanjundaiah, known to the actor from his Mysore days. The doctor was seeing him after 30 years, but Ambi doesn’t fail to recognize him. The long journey continues through MN Katte, VC Farm, Modachakapalahalli, Gandhal, Machahalli, Chandagalu, Holalu, Hullenahalli, Jayapura, but Ambareesh shows no signs of fatigue. He interacts with children, shakes hands with people, exchanges pleasantries, even as he drives home the point: “Congress will come to power. If you elect Congressmen, all your work will get done. I know all chief ministers personally and have easy access to them. I don’t say you should vote for Congress because I am telling you to do so. But there are many benefits if you elect me.’’ As the convoy enters Hullenahalli, Deveeramma, an aged woman rushes to block its way. “There is water scarcity in the village. If it’s not solved, our children will die,” she cries, echoing every villager’s immediate problem. Though Ambareesh draws huge crowds, the question remains: Will they buy his words and vote for him? The ‘Mandya Janathe’ will decide on May 5.