The world observed the 123 birth anniversary of legendary actor Charlie Chaplin Monday, April 16. The king of comedy, who was known for his strong political satires in the silent film era, has fans worldwide.
In a small Indian village in western Gujarat, where the comic legend has a strong fan following, his birthday was marked in a unique way. Charlie Chaplin impersonators of all ages thronged the streets of Adipur to observe their favorite actor's birth anniversary.
Ashok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor, who became an ardent Charlie Chaplin fan after watching Chaplin's Gold Rush in 1973, formed a Charlie Chaplin club.
The club observes actor's birth anniversary every year by hitting the streets in Chaplin's costume. The group also conducts cultural programs dedicated to Chaplin.
Aswani, an Ayurvedic doctor in the village, spreads the message of the actor and sometimes gives away Chaplin film CDs to his patients.
Ashok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor gestures as gets dressed up as Charlie Chaplin in his house in Adipur in the western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAswani, a 63-year-old doctor, dresses up as Charlie Chaplin and gestures at people as he walks on road in Adipur in western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAswani, 63-year-old doctor dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, talks on a phone along a road in Adipur in western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAswani has his make-up applied as he gets dressed up for Charlie Chaplin's birthday celebrations in AdipurREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAshok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, sits outside a shop along a pathway in Adipur in the western Indian state of Gujarat.REUTERS/Danish SiddiquiA man talks on a phone as another holds a portrait of Charlie Chaplin as they carry it along a street in Adipur in the western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
Aswani dances with members of the Charlie Circle fan club during celebrations to mark Charlie Chaplin's birthday in AdipurREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAshok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, poses inside a studio in Adipur in the western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAshok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor, gestures as he poses at a salt pan in Adipur in the western Indian state of Gujarat REUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAshok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor, is helped by barber as he gets dressed up as Charlie Chaplin at a salon in Adipur in the western Indian state of Gujarat REUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAshok Aswani (C), a 63-year-old doctor, watches as a member of the Charlie Circle fan club breaks a coconut to start celebrations marking Charlie Chaplin's birthday in Adipur in the western Indian state of Gujarat REUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAshok Aswani, a 63-year-old doctor, is helped by barber as he gets dressed up as Charlie Chaplin at a salon in Adipur in the western Indian state of Gujarat REUTERS/Danish SiddiquiYash, 7, a member of Charlie Circle, dresses up as Charlie Chaplin while posing inside a studio during Chaplin's birthday celebrations in Adipur in the western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish SiddiquiAffron, 13, a member of Charlie Circle dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, poses inside a studio during Chaplin's birthday celebrations in Adipur in the western Indian state of GujaratREUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
Talin, a member of Charlie Circle dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, poses inside a studio in AdipurREUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
