The cast of Turning 30 were in Chennai to promote the film. Last Saturday, actors Gul Panag and Tillotama Shome along with director Alankrita Shrivastava were having dinner at a Chineses restaurant when they spotted a distinguished gentleman sitting at the the other end. It was Mani Ratnam.

After much deliberation, the trio wrote him a sweet little note on the hotel stationery that began with, “Dear Mani sir…” and ended with a request to say ‘hello’ to him.

The note was sent across to Mani sir’s table. He read itand continued with his meal. No reaction!

The disappointed girls waited for sometime and finally decided to leave. As they got up, a smiling Ratnam strolled over to their table and settled down. He chatted with them for a while, wished them luck and then with a smiling goodbye left.

Says Shrivastava, “It was a dream come true. Imagine going to Chennai for one day and meeting Mani sir whose work I have always admired.”

Adds Panag, “I haven’t felt so excited about meeting somebody in a long time.”