Hotdog vendor feels important after attending film festival

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Hotdog vendor feels important after attending film festival

Published on September 19, 2008 ⋅ Written by Gordon Flurkey ⋅ Email this article ⋅ Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Kulkarni: His hotdogs are better than yours

Toronto, ON -- The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival may have already wrapped up, but Jagdish Kulkarni is still basking in the prestigious event's corporate-sponsored afterglow.

The 42-year-old hotdog vendor, who hails from northern India, was a first-time festival goer this year. He attended a screening of "Slumdog Millionnaire," British filmmaker Danny Boyle's eloquent tale of a boy who attempts to become a millionaire on a television game show, after being given an exclusive festival pass by famous film critic Roger Ebert.

Kulkarni said it was Ebert's way of thanking him for providing directions to the nearest police station.

"Apparently, he wanted to report someone for whacking him in the knees with a binder," he added. "I didn't know who he was at first. I was really humbled by his generosity."

"After I stepped out of the theater, I felt like I was better than all the other hotdog vendors in Toronto."

The affable Punjab native and holder of a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering said the entire festival experience changed him.

"I don't normally have time for movies because of my busy schedule, but Mr. Ebert said I had to go see Danny Boyle's film, so I went," Kulkarni said. "I felt so cultured and so learned, sitting in with all those people and their sophisticated auras. After I stepped out of the theater, I felt like I was better than all the other hotdog vendors in Toronto. I still do, actually."

Kulkarni said he wants to go again next year, and hopes to soak up a lot more of the glitz, glamor and culture that the festival brings yearly to Toronto.

"Anil Kapoor sat right in front of me and I accidentally touched his hair," he added. "That is like touching the hand of Vishnu. All my Indian hotdog vendor friends were so jealous after I told them about it. I can't wait for next year."

For now, it's back to the hotdog grind for Kulkarni, who operates a stand at the corner of Yonge and Bloor in downtown Toronto.

"I'm just doing the needful," said Kulkarni with a smile.