Bollywood is my future: Rahul Mahajan

Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS) Rahul Mahajan has been bitten by the acting bug. After leaving the 'Bigg Boss' house, the most popular inmate of the reality show says he will now make his career by acting in Bollywoood films.

'Working in Bollywood is what I see myself doing. I've to make a living. And that would be through the entertainment industry. But no matter what I do, I'd remain the same Rahul in blue jeans and white shirts. I want people to love and respect me,' Rahul told IANS in an interview.

Rahul, the son of late Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan, says he is flooded with acting offers.

'A lot of acting offers are coming my way. Do you know my mom and dad were stage actors? And they met for the first time on stage. That's how they fell in love. I think both politics and acting are in my blood,' Rahul said.

Excerpts:

Q: Now you're out of 'Bigg Boss' what do you want to do with your life?

A: Working in Bollywood is what I see myself doing. That would be a professional decision. A lot of people ask if I'd be joining politics. But politics koi dhanda nahin hai (politics is not a business). If I've to do it for the country's sake, I'd do it. But I've to make a living. And that would be through the entertainment industry. But no matter what I do, I'd remain the same Rahul in blue jeans and white shirts. I want people to love and respect me.

Q: Which turns you on more, politics or acting?

A: A lot of acting offers are coming my way. Do you know my mom and dad were stage actors? And they met for the first time on stage. That's how they fell in love. I asked my dad why he wasn't in the movies. He was going to do a movie once. I teased him, 'Why are you promoting yourself, when you should be promoting me in movies?' I think both politics and acting are in my blood.

Q: Since you didn't need money, why did you go into 'Bigg Boss'?

A: First of all, everyone needs money to survive. But I had bigger issues on hand. I needed to go in there to show people the real Rahul Mahajan. I wanted people to stop judging me without knowing who I was. This is what people were doing before I went in the house.

Q: Your facial packs, fast talking flirtations.... made 'Bigg Boss' a soap opera?

A: I was just being myself. I wasn't pretending to be someone else. People saw the naughty Rahul on the show and then they saw the mature Rahul who leaves the show just five days before it was meant to end. Both the child and the mature Rahul are me. If I was just an irresponsible child, I wouldn't have been able to cope with all the troubles in my life in the last few years. When it comes to trying times, I rise to the occasion. That's what I proved on 'Bigg Boss'. I was able to take decisions on behalf of the whole team. And when I had to quit I did so.

Q: Why did you quit 'Bigg Boss'?

A: You know last week we broke out of the house because there was no food in the house. And I didn't know how to cook. So I wasn't the kitchen in-charge. The four of us in the house were psychologically demoralised. I can't explain the group psychology to you. You've to be there to know what we went through. We were like animals migrating from home when hungry. We left to have food. After 90 days, we were under a lot of pressure. And after we did, one of us had to take the rap on behalf of all four housemates. So I quit.

Q: So do you regret leaving the house without permission?

A: No I don't regret it at all. It was the decision of the moment. Maybe another time I'd deal with the situation more maturely.

Q: Who's the real love of your life Payal Rohatgi or Monica Bedi?

A: Neither. They're both friends.

Q: We saw you you openly flirting with both?

A: If one stays in the same house with others there's bound to be some fun. I've known Payal for many years. I made a friend out of Monica in the 'Bigg Boss' house. And I'm not a fair-weather friend. I'll continue to be friends with them through thick and thin.

Q: Have you succeeded in showing the real Rahul Mahajan to the world?

A: I think I have. Like I said, I was being myself. Whether it was playing Krishna or leaving the house for food, I was being my honest genuine self. Hate me or love me. But you can't ignore me.

Q: Does the world look different to you now?

A: The world is the same. I probably look different to the world.