The world is really an interesting place if we only cared to look beyond our monotonous routine and strayed away from the beaten track.
21 year old Uncommon photographer Mohit Sandhu does just that.
Armed with a camera and a mind willing to explore more than the conventional, he comes across some very interesting people. The most unique trait of these people is that they are discovered amidst the most common situations and yet stand apart for who they are.
“Here is one such tale about a chance encounter he had with the Indian version of Hogan!”
Right : Mohit Sandhu
A meeting with Indian Hulk Hogan
‘Wow’, that’s what I said when I saw him for the first time in 2014. He was getting off his Royal Enfield.
It had already been 2 months or so at that time since I had been staying in Mumbai, and to be honest, at that time I really wasn’t that type of guy who would just go and talk to some stranger. Moreover, it was a whole new city to me, so I didn’t think of talking to him.
Anyway, coming to the point.
This Sunday, I had gone out after a very long time, and I don’t know how the thought of taking his picture struck my mind. So, I just walked into his restaurant. He sits at the counter.
So, after a little conversation like…How is he and chitchatting about how humid Mumbai was that day, I asked him for the photograph.
And he said, ‘Mera photo? Photo lenahai to Salman ka lo, mera photo le kekyakaroge?’
(My photo? If you want to take photos, take pictures of Salman Khan- what will you do taking my picture?)
I said, ‘Main Salman ka fan nahihu.’
(I am not a fan of Salman’s)
‘Tu bhi nahi hai!’, he laughed.
(Even you aren’t a fan!)
*Horizontal high five*!
Then I explained a little about why I am not a fan of Salman Khan.
And then he said, ‘Chal ek photo Saath me lete Hain?’
(Let’s take a picture together)
‘Selfie?’
‘Haan’.
(Yes)
We took a Selfie (something which I’m terrible at), but we were laughing the whole time. I don’t know what it was.
‘Sir ab le sakta hu aapki photo?’ I asked. (Yes, I addressed him as Sir. I’ve become habitual of calling people Sir/Ma’am. College.
(Sir, now may I take your photo?)
‘Zaroor’
(Certainly).
And he posed like this for the whole time. It took me 8-10 shots to get a clear picture, but after coming back to hostel, I realized, his smile had faded in the rest of the pictures, except this- this was the first picture, legit.
‘Your bike…?’, I did as I left.
So, he is a guy in his 60s (I’m not sure which side though), who drives a Royal Enfield and runs a restaurant, always in style, with a muscular physique, wears heavy rings, Hulk Hogan has copied him (:p), and a lovely person.
Name – Rustom Ansari.
If you are planning to visit his restaurant, then, it’s opposite Victoria Terminus, named ‘Capitol Stores and Restaurants’.
You will always find his bike parked outside his restaurant, with a lion on its front mud-guard.
Such an inspiring person.
Mohit’s simple account touches a chord somewhere, doesn’t it? It is because we see the inner beauty of this individual he chanced to meet that day. We are all social beings- it is through connecting with each other in selfless ways, that we find ourselves.
Mohit has essentially done what many of us would like to do but are hesitant.
Let us take some time out of our own worlds of bills, responsibilities, stress and connect with another- the world will not be as lonely it can seem sometimes.
Mohit is from Karnal but moved to Mumbai 3 years ago to pursue Marine Engineering. His hobby of photography turned into something more when his interest in capturing buildings metamorphosed into ‘talking to people and listening to their stories and taking their pictures. I see it as preserving some unheard stories and creating memories. It just happened. On holidays, I just take my phone, plug in earphones and wander in the city, and just talk to people.’
You can follow him on:
[Image of Hulk Hogan from Inquisitr.com]
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