Jonty Rhodes Visited the Sets of a Tamil Film. Here's What Happened

Chennai: International cricketer Jonty Rhodes' love for India is well known. So much so, the South African cricketer has even named his daughter India Jeanne, after the country he admires. Mr Rhodes, was in Chennai recently, visiting Kovalam, India's first surfing village, when he happened to enjoy an unusual experience of visiting the sets of a Tamil film for the first time.

The producers of the movie, Thittam Poattu Thirudara Koottam (TPTK) PS Raghunathan and Prabhu, had no clue about what was to unfold, when they planned a day-long shoot at a bungalow on the East Coast Road. Raghunathan recalls, "The shoot of the movie was going on, and apart from the actors Chandran, Satna Titus and Partheipan, we also had former Ranji Cricketer, veteran JK Mahendra on the sets. Mahendra who, is famous for his collection of cricket memorabilia, is also doing a role in our movie. On that day, he was at the shoot along with his collection of cricket memorabilia which were part of the set property. One of the local boys told us that Jonty Rhodes was nearby, visiting the Covelong Point Surf and Music Festival. JK Mahendra, who happens to know Jonty, went across to meet him and invited him to our shooting. Jonty most graciously accepted and we all had the pleasant experience of spending 35 minutes with Jonty on our set."
 
Says lead actor Chandran, "We were completely bowled over by Jonty's humility. He had absolutely no airs nor attitude. He shook hands with every unit hand, from the driver and spot boy to the camera and production assistants, and patiently clicked photos with them. He showed a lot of interest in every aspect of filmmaking, right from production cost to inspecting each set property. In that short time, we discussed everything from films and food to music. He seemed quite excited to be on a movie set of a Tamil film for the first time."

Producer PS Raghunathan adds an interesting but of information: "JK Mahendra, was using many of his precious cricketing memorabilia for our shoot that day. He took, one of the memorabilia, a special edition pen inscribed with Sachin Tendulkar's autograph, and gifted it to Jonty, commemorating his visit to our sets. Jonty was very touched by the gesture. But he thanked Mahendra and returned the pen to him saying, 'this pen is a very rare collector's item and I think you should keep it.' We were all struck by his courtesy and grace."

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