To the star who shines bright both in earth and the sky,
I can envision you giving your enigmatic smile from up there, cocooned in the embrace of your mother, who is beaming with pride looking at the achievements her son has garnered in his short journey. A journey that has compelled millions of people who never even met him, to stand for him. From seeing you first weave magic through your craft on our television screens, to lighting up the theatres, you outdid yourself each time. I remember telling my mother how sweet your smile as Manav was, and her agreeing to it. The little girl never knew, in the course of time, you would make her admire you for so many things beyond your undeniable good looks.
With the passing time, your transition took place from our Manav to Ishaan, from our television screens to the big screen. And, the only things that didn’t change was your passion to strive for more, and honesty in your craft. Besides that, you were growing in every aspect, and making people like me who followed your journey from Preet Juneja, only proud. Meanwhile, came your presence on social media, a place where you would be seen by millions, admired and judged at the same time. But again you were you. Instead of following the herd, you deciding to keep it as real as possible has probably made all the difference today. You shared your dreams, your feelings, your thought process, without any facades, and that’s why people connected to you. We’ve seen how you went beyond your ways each time to help anyone who needed it. Else, how many stars do we know today who’ve helped fans raise money for their parents’ illness, replied on a daily basis to their fans or have gone to meet people personally like you met little Aaron. You were and are a star in each aspect. Your craft is out there, visible for everyone, but, you were so much beyond it, and you never shied away from showing that side.
You’ve showed us each time how it was okay to be vulnerable. Having lost my mom at the same age as you did, probably this made me connect to you more. I know how each time I missed her, I went to read your poetry dedicated to your maa, shed some tears, and had a small smile, knowing it wasn’t only me. And, I know I’ll continue to do that, for you spoke for a lot of us. Whenever I’ve felt a little out of way, reading your musings has always put a small zeal in my heart, for you and I both have angels to make proud up there. I always thought your fascination for stars was because when you have your own someone up there as a star, sky feels like roof, moon feels like window to home.
I can never imagine anyone else putting out all their dreams in an unabashed way like you did. For it takes courage and passion, which no one can match up to yours. You had a way with life like no one else. Your musings spoke volumes in even few words. Your love for everything under the sky and passion to learn newer things each time has always inspired us to look beyond what meets the eyes. You’ve always taught us to look through things instead of looking at things. There can be no one like you, but thank you for inspiring us all to do good in our own ways. And now, each night when I look up, I know there are two bright stars I look upto. Continue shining up there you bright one 💫
With love,
Your admirer, forever.