This story is from January 29, 2015

Laxman’s Bhopali fan wanted him to learn Hindi

When Aftab Ahmed, 56, a social activist from Bhopal went to Mumbai in 1995 to meet iconic cartoonist, RK Laxman, he had to return disappointed.
Laxman’s Bhopali fan wanted him to learn Hindi
BHOPAL: When Aftab Ahmed, 56, a social activist from Bhopal went to Mumbai in 1995 to meet iconic cartoonist, RK Laxman, he had to return disappointed. Aftab, a freelance cartoonist wanted to shake hands with the genius whose work was every cartoonist’s benchmark, but was turned away for the most unusual reason — he spoke Hindi.
“I still remember the day distinctly. I was excited as I stepped into Times of India office in Mumbai and was greeted by a woman at reception desk.
I told her I wanted to meet R K Laxman and was coming all the way from Bhopal. She hurriedly pressed a few numbers and got him on line. After a brief talk, she kept down the phone and said, ‘I am afraid Mr Laxman does not speak Hindi and cannot meet you’,” said Ahmed.
“I was shocked and left the premises. I returned to Bhopal the same day,” he said.
But destiny again gave a chance to Aftab to meet his idol. Laxman came to Bhopal in 1997 and visited Kala Parishad. “He spoke in English throughout his visit and even at the press conferences. I had a made a caricature of Laxman in the guise of the common man. I met him again at a press conference, where I got an opportunity to ask him for an opinion. To my surprise, he wrote ‘No Comment’ on my cartoon. The second meeting also left me disappointed,” said Aftab.
Three years later, he learned that Laxman was visiting Bhopal again and would be visiting Swaraj Bhavan. “I prepared myself to meet him again, but this time with a small gift. During his felicitation, I went on stage and gifted him a book on Hindi alphabets. His expression changed to a smile. He understood my gesture. I asked him to learn Hindi and speak a little of the language, the next time he visits Bhopal. I remember Laxman assuring me with a bright smile that he would, but I don’t think he did,” said Aftab.
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