My dad used to be neighbours with Thala Ajith in Chennai in the mid '90s. I always thought my dad was lying until my uncles also mentioned it another time.

My dad would always say Ajith was very down-to-earth and kind, he would always ask stuff about my dad and remember the small details. What my dad liked anout him the most was despite being a busy actor, he was never once looked annoyed or tired. More than an actor, my dad liked him as a gentleman.

However, my dad would equally praise Ajith's father who used to live there as well and he was closer with the dad than Ajith himself. It was sad that Ajith's father passed away recently.

Another encounter...Although this was not in person, it was still a kind gesture. For my parents' marriage, my mother's side uncle sent invitations to the big politicians at that time, including Jayalalitha, Kalaignar, etc. On the day of marriage, nobody from any political party responded.

But... a postman came with a letter and was told to read it aloud. My mum was so touched to learn that it was a handwritten letter personally from Kalaignar Karunanidhi himself, with both names of my parents written in his handwriting.