Actor Srimurali, who's a State Best Actor Award winner and a smooth operator in his own right, is going through a lean patch for quite some time. His restrained performance in his last big film 'Sriharikathe' couldn't boost his sagging fortune at the box office and it was hoped that a sentimental-actioner like 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' would do the needful.

The situation at Nartaki, one of the main theatres at the nerve centre of Sandalwood, was different and indeed unexpected. It was first day-first show of 'Hare Rama and Hare Krishna' and the crowd was sparse. As happens usually, the hall slowly filled up, though there was enough space to lounge and seat your far aunty! The film ground to a predictable halt and lights came up for interval.

People got up and looked about and found this slim man in a pink tee far above the rows of seats, standing out like a mariner, arms akimbo. He was completely bald but wore an anxious smile. People looked and then stared.

It took five minutes but the staring continued. Film fans had recognized the film's hero Srimurali in the young man but couldn't muster enough courage to rush up the stairs. It was as though people were wondering what had come over the young hero � had he just fulfilled a vow? Or had some hairy 'accident'? After all, baldness runs in his family (his father and uncles all have a fair share of their pates exposed to the elements)�

Srimurali then had to bend and beckon his fans over and soon it was click-click time. The actor later clarified that he had shaved his hair off to play Balagangadharanatha Swami in a forthcoming flick. But some say shaving helps hair growth�