OVER & ABOVE: Look who's (not) talking!

chandigarh: we've been talking about it, hearing about it, conjecturing and speculating about it and finally, after tackling all possible angles, (will they won't they, what about the lack of a five-start hotel, the controversy...) the test match is finally happening. but, with most of the cricketers and commentators in town "under contract" and therefore unable to speak to the press, it's turning out to be an interesting but slightly dull event for the media. for, we can speak to everyone connected to the game, but until we speak to the stars themselves, nothing seems accomplished. if we can't ask saurav about what transpired between him and nagma, if we can't question rahul on why he would want to act in a jam ad and be called jammy (!), if we can't ask tendulkar why he doesn't get to speak a word in the fiat palio ad (but just blows away the ball from kambli's hand), then how are we expected to feel that all these national heroes are even in town? agreed, watching them is exciting enough (we do that on tv anyway), but then, who doesn't want to hear them speak, see them in flesh, and dole out some juicy tid bits? unfortunately, that hasn't happened till now though dravid and ganguly are finally making public appearances at a reebok center and at pizza hut, respectively. fans, breathe. in the absence of us having any fun (or luck) with interviews, the real people who are having a ball and getting to meet the heroes are the fans. children, adolescents, teens, adults are turning up from everywhere and getting their miniature bats and pads autographed by the heroes, sharing a moment with them, and basking in their halos. fans who have managed to even get in touching distance of the heroes will remember these moments forever (never mind if we have to sulk this time!). isn't that what cricket and stars should be all about? people, the fans, the spectators, because of whom the game is what it is, because of whom the moolah is raked in. yes. however, in recent times one has noticed that most stars have less time for fans and more for the ad-world and media. why spend time with 100 fans when you can reach lakhs through the air waves and in print? there are very few stars who actually care for a fan and realise how much just an autograph or even a smile can change a fan's life. so, even though you can 'own' a piece of your favourite star- a glove, a tshirt... but believe me there's nothing like the real thing! geetika_bhandari@indiatimes. com