MANGALURU: Motivational speaker and life coach
Saif Sultan
, who had the opportunity to meet
Kannada
superstar
Puneeth Rajkumar thrice in the last two years, recollects how the actor was always humble, down to earth and loved Mangalurean cuisine. Saif regrets that he could not give him biryani prepared by his mom, because he left too early.
Saif, head of Hope Foundation told TOI, “I first met him at a hotel in Shivamogga in 2019 before the lockdown. The waiter tipped me off that the superstar was sitting next to my table for breakfast. I went there and introduced myself. I thought I would only get an opportunity to click a selfie. The moment I introduced myself, he asked me to sit down and inquired about my work. I told him that I had watched only one of his films, and that really did not matter to him,” he said.
Saif recollects
Puneeth
as a passionate foodie, who spoke about his love for Mangalurean Ghee Roast, seafood especially ladyfish (kane) and pomfret served at Kundapur’s Shetty’s Lunch Home.
The second time Saif met him was at a resort in Chikkamagaluru after the lockdown was lifted and the first wave of Covid-19. “In fact, it was Puneeet who recognised me and called out ‘M’luru Saifu’ and then we exchanged telephone numbers. He had a lot of Mangalurean friends. When he got to know I was a motivational speaker, he asked me about the books he should read. During that meeting, I had promised him mutton biryani prepared by my mom. He had even asked if I had pledged organs, spoke on animal rights, especially feeding strays during the lockdown and charity. I now realise that he practised all that he preached,” said Saif.
The third meeting was again at a hotel in Bengaluru. “I texted him that I was in ITC Windsor Manor, and to my surprise, he replied he would be meeting me over coffee. I never expected him to meet me as I have no connections in the filmdom, nor am I a renowned personality. During our conversation, I realised his love for fancy and sports cars and when I spoke about my Kashmir trip, he said how he was looking forward to travelling with his family and brothers on a road trip in India,” Saif said, adding that Puneeth left after advising him to stay fit.
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