Patrick Swayze kissed Celina

I was around 14 years old when I happened to meet Patrick Swayze in Kolkata! I don’t remember exactly if he was in Kolkata for the shoot of ‘City of Joy’ or post the film’s release but I surely was the fortunate one to have met the actor who was then every girl’s heartthrob.

It was in Kolkata’s Oberoi Grand hotel where I met him. He was the reason why I wanted to attain stardom so badly. I walked up to him but couldn’t utter a word as I was a huge fan but I did ask for an autograph on my shirt to which he obliged. He also smiled and kissed me on my forehead. That very moment I wished I could just grow overnight and be the most beautiful woman on earth so that I could marry him. I still have that T-shirt. As a young girl who loved to dance, ‘Dirty Dancing’ was my bible.

For the past few years I was aware that Patrick was battling Cancer. It’s extremely difficult for an actor to deal with a disease as his life is always in the public eye. He fought Cancer beautifully and he will be missed.

I’ve heard Patrick also overcame alcohol addiction. I do realize now that he was drunk when I met him as well but he was never mean or rude to anyone. I wasn’t allowed in night clubs as I was 14 years old then but my cousins who visited ‘The Pink Elephant’ club in Kolkata often told me stories on how they’d find Patrick hanging out in the club. Even the press in Kolkata wrote a lot on his drinking but I am happy he overcame the addiction.

Even today I dance to the music of ‘Dirty Dancing’. Patrick Swayze will always be in my heart and I’ve been kissed by him....