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The Namesake
Had just shut my alarm and rolled over to sleep when my cell phone woke me up again. An unknown number flashed.
“hello”, I answered groggily.
“What’s wrong with you”, was the reply.
“Who’s this?”
“It’s Vipin, we were in college together, remember”
“My god! Vipin..it’s been more than seven years. How’ve you been?”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Matlab..”
“Why did you pinch Dolly Bindra’s bottom..and when did you start drinking…”
“Hain!”
“Hain kya? I’ve just read it in today’s paper…and you never told me you are married to Shweta Tiwari…my wife is dying to meet her…”
That was my first introduction to my namesake, the other Raja Chaudhary. The article in the paper read, “Raja Chaudhary, husband of actress Shweta Tiwari aka Prerna of Kasauti Zindagi Ki got drunk at a party last night and grabbed Dolly Bindra’s bottom. A tearful Dolly Bindra later filed a police complaint”
I received a dozen or so calls that day from old friends… my father received a dozen or so calls from his old friends. By the time I had explained to everyone that I don’t drink, I don’t pinch bottoms and that I’m not married to Shweta Tiwari, I actually thought of having my first peg of rum or vodka or whatever.
It was some time later that I received the second barrage of calls. This time out of concern and from a different set of people. My namesake(mira nair should have made a film on my life or I should change my name to gogol) had met with an accident on the Pune expressway. The picture of a smashed car was splashed across the page.
Then Nach Baliye happened. Not to me but to him. Now, everyone who knows me knows that even if my wife were tied to a pole and Gabbar was pointing a gun at her I wouldn’t be able to dance. But I still received an email from a friend, who I’d last seen eight years back, congratulating me and wishing me all the best. Since the mood was celebratory, this time I thought of having champagne.
By the time Nach Baliye wrapped up, he had become a bit famous. People recognized his face. I was happy. No one would mistake me for him again. Until…an actor friend of mine told me that a director had refused to cast me in his film thinking I was him, hence did not suit the character. Now my career was under threat. This time it had to be tequila. Or the Himalayas.
Then he became more famous. He was all over the news channels… in an inebriated state…pushing a journalist..mouthing profanities, crying…he was led away by cops. He was an emotional wreck. He had separated from his wife… I felt sorry for him. But all that took a backseat when my dad and my relatives called saying that they were being hounded by consolatory calls from Rajasthan(my native place), from people who have heard about me but not seen or met me. Vipassana beckoned. Or maybe I should try desi..
My wife and I decided we needed to change my name(for once the decision was mutual). I spoke to Anurag. I told him I need to desperately change my name before ‘Gulaal’ releases. Though reluctant, seeing the state I was in he agreed. The titling of my other film, ‘Antardwand’ was under process. I requested the director, Sushil Rajpal to please hold on for a couple of days. We thought of various names. I could not identify with any name. Nothing seemed to work.
As of today, I am still Raja Chaudhary. I still don’t drink. I still don’t pinch women’s bottoms and yes, some people still think I am that Raja Chaudhary.
34 Responses to “The Namesake”
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What would happen if you cross path with the other Raja someday and he invites you to live his life ?
Welcome to PFC, Raja! Dude fill in your profile so people “do” know you are “the” Raja Chaudhary
hey buddy
it’s a matter of time before the whole world knows the raja chaudhary we all know & love. A very well behaved, extremely humble, a wonderful & highly dignified human being. Apart from being a very good actor. Though seriously hoping u start drinking! Cheers!
welcome aboard Raja…..hope you have a smashin time….forehand ….backhand…..volleys….drop shots….top spins….grand slams….and yes Gautam has a valid point….his views on you and drinking….. :d
hilariously tragic…….
…….
my sympathies……..
by the way changing ur name is probably a good idea…..
how abt adding some extra letters vis-a-vis numerology
u never Know when the other raja might strike back to hamper ur prospects…
for kind information
nobody has the balls to pinch my bottom so lets not drag me into this raja chaudhary, gossip raja is a good friend and all this story is crap :(:(:-w
dolly bindra
“raja chaudhary, gossip raja is a good friend and all this story is crap ” WHAT ?
raja sir…nice story…real or concocted I’ve no clue abt…but interesting…u r a writer too.
that Raja chowdhary is indeed more famous than his wife shweta these days..ppl recognise him well, I believe…
ha ha ha…Raja..now thats funny n welcome onboard. to sound like david dhawan..have a suggestion…make it Aaja Chaudhary…
Welcome Raja…agree completely with Gautam…In near future your namesake will start getting calls meant for you…but the calls would be positive…don’t worry abt name, whats there in a name..its the work which matters n u rock!!
hey oz, thanks a ton…will add my profile for sure..
vasan thanks a ton..only wish the tt table was as big as the tennis court…as for drinking, i only drink while working..
thanks a lot manjeet..glad to be a part of PFC
phoenixnu, thanks a ton..how bout Aaja Nachle Chaudhary..ha..ha..it covers up for my lack of dancing skills
hey sunil, thanks…the story’s true…everytime there’s something about him in the media, it has an effect on my life…by the way, am an actor, who tries to write sometimes..
ashwin, thanks for the response…had initially thought of changing my name but realised once my work is out, it won’t matter much..
cubicle bound misfit, it’s hard enough trying to lead one’s own life, why would i want to lead his life..and if we ever cross paths..may the best ‘raja’ win..ha..ha
raja bhaiyya, welcome to pfc…how are you? hope you remember me from Gulaal days..have been yrs since we met.
Ms bindra, I’m sorry for hurting ur sentiments..from my end there was no intent of misquoting or hurting anyone’s sentiment..i realize, i took the liberty of picking up on media reports as well as google, which henceforth i shall abstain from..peace, regds
In the U.S., the Screen Actors Guild used to have a rule (I don’t know if it is still there) that no two members could have the same name. This was the reason for many actors to change their name onscreen in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Now, there doesn’t seem to be any equivalent organization to SAG in the Hindi film industry, though there is a producers’ association, and a writers’ association that I am aware of. Is there some professional body that can set guidelines for this sort of situation?
Thanks for giving your website address Ms.Dolly Bindra! Really enjoyed your pictures!! :d:”>:d:”>:d:”>:d:”>
All I can say is! WHOA!! Machchar fida hogaya!
@Raja: howlarious! =))
@Turrtle: I think she meant to place the comma after the word “gossip” :d
eg: “so lets not drag me into this raja chaudhary gossip, raja is a good friend and all this story is crap”
It could be worse. I once worked with a man who had an unusual name, and his name-doppleganger appeared occasionally in the newspaper’s police blotter report for beating his wife!
You are a talented and amusing storyteller — are you writing something for yourself to star in?
hey premal, kaisa hai tu? long time…let’s catch up soon..
thanks night…
hey evelyn, thanks…not writing anything yet..maybe someday…at the moment enjoying being characters in other people’s stories..
oh i also thought u were that raja chaudhry when i started reading ur article .i thought now i ll see wats the real story of bottom pinching case…
but alas no luck..but best of luck for you ..and dont even think of changing uor name .. y will u want to change uor name for a creep like him..
maybe one day when ur very famous and all uor movies will b super hit.. this other raja will get a chance in bollywood coz of his name.
we should meet up….havent been in touch with the gang…missing everyone…
If Ms.Bindra agrees, This Raja Chowdhary can do honorary bottom pinching of her and next day, we will have headlines, Dolly Bindra butt pinched again by Raja Chowdhary! HAHA!!
hahaha…. my dear lord!
I do feel sorry for you… but hell! it makes one entertaining story.
Keep up the good work… and please don’t change ur name… Raja suits u ;)
:-wLOOK U GUYS NEED TO GET YRSELF INTO SMETHG CONSTRUCTIVE DO U UNDERSATND EMPTY NMIND DEVILS MIND FREE ADVICE TO PEOPLE WHO LIKE GOSSIP
TURTLE /MACHAR BEWARE I KNW LOOSERS THTS WHT U R GO BK TO CHANDIGARH :d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d/:d/
:d/
:d/:d/:d/:d/:d/:d/
Say Chennai…Will you buy me the ticket?
now after reading your article i think aboutr if i have indeed got the correct raja chaudhary, i may have wanted to have the other one. still i suggest one thing to you… be glad your not a soap star. ‘TV talent’, the very term is in correct.
Vinny
Hey Raja,
I would like to know your story in detail, how did you happen to switch your career from s/w er to an actor?
Please share.
regards
Kuldip
:)that’s a funny story u never told me about…
:)again