PUNE, February 27: There were no lights, no camera. Action though was in abundance, courtesy actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna who gave Puneites an amazing performance as he traversed the city's length and breadth, raising his hands in the air, flashing a `V' sign and then pointedly showing off his `wristwatch' even as he wiped the trickling sweat from his handsome face.For the apolitical lot, this was yet another starry gimmick, yet another Suresh Kalmadi road-show on the final day of his campaign.After showcasing popular actor Chandrachur Singh and a bevy of international and national sports stars in his glamorous campaign, Kalmadi rounded off in starry style as he re-introduced the macho film actor to a highly receptive.Khanna did more than his share while campaigning for Kalmadi as he set off on a whirlwind rally of the city from the Netaji Subashchandra Bose School at Yerawada. ``Arre, dekh Vinod Khanna,'' small children yelled as they ran behind the jeeps that zoomed in and out of thecongested Tadiwala road.It was a surprised lot that looked up to see not just Suresh Kalmadi pass by, but their dashing hero of Amar Akbar Anthony, of Muqqadar Ka Sikander and not to forget Qurbani fame. It jolted them right out of their reverie and wave a `V' sign too. Two-wheelers bearing `Vote for the Clock' placards broke all traffic signals, though the cops and the riders did not really mind.Towering over Kalmadi, dressed in a tan leather jacket and blue denims, hair brushed back, Khanna opened his arms in a broad welcome to the people, waited patiently while star-struck fans garlanded him and tried to shake his hand. His stint in Gurdaspur seemed to have worked wonders for the matinee idol as he seemed relaxed amidst huge crowds.Girls stopped right in the middle of the street as Khanna gave disarming smiles.Kalmadi popped a mint in Khanna's parched mouth and off they set again. Bikes, auto-rickshaws and of course the star-studded jeep raced via Pune railway station,Maldhakka, Apollo theatre, Saint Kabir chowk, Hamje Khan chowk, Ranka jewellers, Mominpura, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Golibar Maidan, Sarasbaug, Range Hills, Khadki bazaar, Vishrantwadi finally culminating at the Lohegaon airport.
