BRETT LEE is two-hours late in visiting the P. Orr and Sons showroom on Anna Salai, Chennai, spends only 15 minutes in the store signing autographs and posing for pictures, but no one complains.
When he arrives, the Australian speedster bowls over all his fans with his smile, pleasant attitude and smattering of Hindi and Tamil. The Timex brand ambassador tousles the hair of a boy who approaches him for an autograph and asks, " How are you doing mate? Have you been a good boy today?" To an elderly gentleman waiting for his autograph, he politely enquires "Namaste. How has your day been?"
He was given a traditional welcome with an `aarthi' to the strains of the Nagaswaram music. Holding a peach and red rose in his hand, he is escorted behind the Timex counter, and there he begins signing autographs. He signs on caps, bats, and autograph books and even on receipts, passport sized photos and visiting cards. Twelve-year-old P.R. Arjun from Kedars Cricket Academy says he is thrilled to meet his `hero' and did not really mind the long wait. Brett Leesays he loved Chennai, `not Madras.' "This place is a great mate." As he leaves, he says a loud `Nandri' — the word he picked up for the day.
- DIVYA RAMAMURTHI