Mahir to eternity

>> Is a Turkish Internet swinger the hero of the new millennium?

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

"My life change, but my character no changed. I am same Mahir." A remarkably steadfast Mahir, considering. In the last year, Mahir Cagri has gone from unassuming Turkish schoolteacher, fishing for female companionship via a simple but honest Web site, to media figure celebrated the world 'round. He's in the latest Guinness Book of World Records for most hits to a site (12-million!), starred in U.K. TV ads and has just released his debut single, "I Kiss You." And that's just the beginning.

"This time, I am very famous," Mahir tells me, on the line from scenic Izmir, Turkey, his hometown. "About a hundred countries' TV shows me! The Forbes magazine, they put my name, 100 top people! And they wrote very nice things. This time, about 600, 700 millions people know me in the world, because all TV and magazine showed me. I have movie offers, for three different company! TV shows, my life book, my Hollywood movie, my merchandise, my cartoon video, my site... All world TV is showing my cartoon!"

What is it about Mahir that attracts the curious to him like moths to a candle? Maybe it's his honest, friendly nature, an all-too-rare quality even in the "liberated" environment of online communications. Maybe it's his selfless ways; since his popularity exploded, Izmir has seen a rubbernecker pilgrimage on par with Graceland. Next time you're through Izmir, feel free to crash on his couch. His door is always open to freeloaders--excuse me, his "friends from Internet in whole world."

Of course, maybe it's just his shitty English. Either way, people just can't get enough Mahir--especially the ladies! He's sporty, well-travelled, educated and worldly, sexually uninhibited but charmingly naïve at the same time. Plus he's a demon on the accordion. What's not to swoon over?

"I am not married, I am alone. I want marry, but I can't find time for interest to marry. I am blessed to have many friends, many girls, many womans. You can visit my site,

ikissyou.org, and you can read. For example, this time, from Miami, very nice rich lady wants to marry with me. I have many offers, from L.A., London, Stockholm, but this time I must interest in my CD."

Megalomaniac or messiah?

And how is "I Kiss You" doing? Dynamite! "It has good success, this single. I like. I receive many e-mails each day from my fans in different countries, they say they like my single. Many disco, many radio, they play my single. I am happy. Good success." Produced by the team behind successes by Neneh Cherry and Eric Clapton, "I Kiss You" is a dance-pop gimcrack that opens with a soaring, almost mystical pronouncement from the man himself. "My name is Mahir," he sings as though in the grip of religious ecstasy. "I kiss you, I kiss you," his naughty, sensual side whispers back.

But life isn't all pop ditties and pecks on the cheek. Mahir has seen the darker side of the human experience firsthand. "I stayed Africa poor people house! I saw many kids died every day. I been Azerbidjian, I saw many kids, they lost their parents, their arms, their eyes. Very bad."

Fully aware of the media power he now wields, he goes out of his way to draw attention to the plight of the less fortunate, and furthermore proposes humanitarian action on a global scale. "I want to help face-to-face hungry children. I will work every time peace. Who needs help, we work together and we help face-to-face. Very important. Because, this time, all famous people, pop stars and movie stars, they know me. I have many fans--Meg Ryan, David Bowie, they are my fans! All famous people, they don't contact directly poor people, malaria people, hunger people. They live very big house, many, many cars. But we must think other people too!"

To this end, Mahir is already auctioning his accordion and ping-pong paddles. Laugh if you want--what have you done lately? "We must share! We must art, we must music, we must sex! Life! Our body needs. But we must think of other people. I hope who know me, movie stars, rich people, government--they follow me. I believe, if God help me, they will join me. We go together and help."

Is he a deluded megalomaniac? The point man for a sinister New World Order? Or an easygoin', body-positive messiah? We might find out soon enough. "I want soon visit Canada," he says. "I have many invitations!"

"I Kiss You" is in stores now. Visit his site, ikissyou.org, or just do a search for "mahir" and watch what happens