Tele-celebs share their ‘first autograph’ moments!

#FirstAutographs and fan moments are special for any actor. These actors share their special moments with us, the moments they realised that they are stars!

Pranav Misshra- My first autograph was around 8-9 years and I used to wonder what will they do with my sign. Nowadays, people take more photos. Initially, autographs used to be tokens of remembrance. Now it’s mostly about selfies that people can post on their account and their friends like and comment on. You cannot deny that this gesture is occupying the majority of taking selfies. I never felt the power of being a star, it was just the perks of the work I do. I understood that whatever work I do, people like it and that’s why they want to click pictures. Even now, I can relate to it as I have been that fan who used to go and ask for pictures. I have lived on both sides.

Eijaz Khan- The time I gave my first autograph was when I was dancing with Salman Bhai in 2000 and I had gone on a world tour. I reached LA and it was the first time I had gone to US. There was a crazy bunch of people who happen to be good friends of mine now, who used to see me dancing with Salman Bhai at award functions. They were my fans then so I landed there and they gave me flowers. They wanted my autograph and I gave them. I wasn’t even an actor then, I was just a dancer. I was pleasantly surprised that someone wanted my autograph. They used to wait for me to turn up in small clips during the award functions like Screen Awards, Filmfare awards. It was a special feeling and I can never forget that.

Delnaaz Irani- For the longest time, I have been asked for selfies. My first autograph was in Lokhandwala Market and I have been blessed because people don’t really call me by my character name and they call me Delnaaz which is so fortunate. At that time, I was doing a show called Ashirwad and my name was Bubbly. I still remember that a flock of girls came to me and they were calling me Bubbly. They came up to me and asked me for my autograph. This was around 1998-99 and Ashirwad was the first few shows of Zee. It was a bunch of autographs that I gave at one time. That frenzy that happened in the market, the feeling was so special. Post that there was a show called Yes Boss and I gave an ample number of autographs. Kavita was very popular in Yes Boss. It’s been an amazing journey but this was one incident that was just so special.

Prateik Chaudhary- To be honest when I actually entered this industry, autograph ka jamana tab tak chala gaya tha I guess. So I don’t think so I have ever given an autograph but yes, a selfie definitely. I guess maybe in some mall or while outdoor shooting I must have given a selfie to a fan for the first time. To be honest, I don’t feel like a star because I feel it’s a lot just a start, still a lot to do, a lot to achieve, so maybe when I’ll be having a number or a huge fan following then I can say yes I did something. Personally, I feel photos are better than an autograph. I mean it’s more useful and more convenient for fans to keep it with them for a long period of time and also more interesting. I guess by selfies and photos fans can cherish those moments

Hemant Chaddha- Autographs hold sentimental value for the people who have them. When the person who owns the autographs looks at them, he/she relives the time that the celebrity gave the autograph. It’s like you’re connecting with the celeb. It’s a piece of them that you get to keep. First time is always special and a moment to be cherished. I remember the first time I gave an autograph. One family came to see the shoot in film city where I was shooting for my first show. It was my first or the second and I was wondering why are they taking my autograph. I felt like a big celebrity and very special but at the same time, I was very shy and surprised. For the family visiting the sets I was an actor who was shooting there. I felt this was my first step towards me being an actor and a star. I guess that shyness and amazement of giving an autograph will still be there when I give my next one. Today I feel selfies with stars have completely taken over but I feel autographs still hold a special place. It’s like the cherry on top.