'My co-participants are jealous and insecure of me' - Monica Bedi

 
Monica Bedi who can be regarded as an enduring reality show participant expresses her joy of receiving so much love through these shows, but at the same time cannot dismiss the few unfriendly relations that she encountered during her latest experience on Imagine's upcoming reality show, Desi Girl.

Here is Monica in a conversation with TellyBuzz

What was the idea behind taking up the reality show on Imagine, Desi Girl?
I was quite fascinated by the entire concept and format of the show. And secondly because I'm a Punjabi brought up abroad, I don't get a chance to visit my native place frequently. So I thought this was a great opportunity for me to know my native place more closely. Also the fact that the majority of our country is made up of villages, did entice me to live this life.

What do you think is the USP of the serial?
I think the clear differences in lifestyle that people would be able to make by comparing their fast forward lifestyles with that of the calm lives of the villagers would add on to a lot of audience attention. Also the kind of patience the girls in the village behold and their contented approach towards life would remind the audience of the missing element in their lives.

Any adaptations you had to make to suit yourself to the village environment?
Nothing in specific, except for the scorching heat. We didn't even have a cooler there; we had to survive under a single table fan. Except for this,  rest of things were quite enjoyable.

How is the experience competing with seven other females?
I think that is the toughest part of the serial. It is very difficult to cope up with so many girls at the same time. There was a lot of bitching, politics, gossips and groupism persisting on and off screen (smiles). And the nomination process makes it all the more ugly, but we can't help but go with the flow as all this is part of the reality show.

So did you have any one on one confrontation with any one?
No nothing as such, but yes I feel that the girls are very jealous of me because the villagers have started liking me a lot. As per the format of the show, initially we participants nominate someone from amongst us, but finally it is the panchayat of the village that declares the final verdict. I always get secured in that, so the other co-participants feel very insecure. 

What do you think is the real reason for getting saved every time?
See the basic mantra of the show is to win hearts of the villagers and I feel I have succeeded in doing that. The reasons for that could be many, but I sense that because I'm a Punjabi they find me one like them. Whatever the reason may be I think it's a big achievement for me.

So who is your favorite co-participant?
I would say Sambhavna Seth. We gelled very well because we have been together in Bigg Boss 2. We are quite close to each other.

So are the reactions in the show scripted or real?
No the reactions are purely real even to the extent that the politics and gossips that happen are also created by girls (smiles).

Name some of the tasks that you had to perform on the show?
We have performed so many tasks that I can't recollect all of them. But to name a few I liked the tasks like milking the cow, painting the outer household wall with cow shit, cooking, etc.

Which has been the toughest task for you as of now?
(Smiles) They had organized for a buffalo fashion show competition and we had to bathe the animal, dress him up and make him walk on the ramp. But my buffalo was so wild that he was unable to control. He used to drop down all the ornaments that I made him wear but finally he won the Mr. Popular award (laughs).

How is the family that you had to live with?
They are very sweet, we share a great bonding. I found them more loving and caring than what I had heard of them.

What is the idea behind getting into TV always through a reality show?
I think reality shows are a very unique and exciting experience that one cannot get in normal life. And reality shows are the highly watched; it has lot of popularity attached to it. Also I have received a lot of love from reality shows which I have not received even after doing 21 movies.

What message would you like to give the audience?
I hope to receive the same love and support from the audience even for this show and I would like to apologize to the audience if they find me a bit political in the show. But that's a part of the reality show and I have tried my best to be myself to the extent I can.

What kind of political approach are you referring to?
Political in the sense that in order to survive in a reality show, you have to make certain strategies, plan internal games. I have also been a part of it but then I felt it was just crossing a limit. I then decided to be myself and I think this originality within me is what the villagers like and would keep me going in the show.

Reporter and Author: Pooja Shenoy