There have been a few instances when I have come across celebrities or famous people at various places during my travels.

As is often the case, at least in India, celebrity spotting usually means crowding. Everyone trying to get a look at the famous person.

At first, when it happened many years ago in my teenage years, it was exhilarating. Something I would talk about with friends.

However, over the years, that charm has reduced considerably. Probably, out of respect for their privacy. Or because it has become second nature to not get over excited by something like this.

Any way, last week, as I was spending time with my cousin during a weekend on a work trip, this topic came up. She was telling me how they have also seen some famous people during their travels.

As we talked about it, one thing flashed back at me. How difficult it must be for the celebrity to live a normal life!

I have seen people clamouring for pictures around them, trying to get autographs, hounding them on their way to some place. And as if that is not enough, they live at the constant mercy of the omnipresent media, who reports on everything they do.

If I put myself in their shoes, it would be very unnerving for me to live life as such. I would be constantly bugged by random people trying to get a piece of me.

I would probably not go out at all. Or do it in secrecy. To avoid embarrassment and to feel and behave like a normal person. I would do anything to avoid the constant scrutiny…

But the famous ones have no such choice. They do it sometimes out of compulsion, sometimes maybe out of pride, but also sometimes just because there is no way out.

Perhaps, being in the spotlight is not always a good thing…