MAndira I'm the most 'in demand' item gir

However, Mandira Bedi now wants to shed this tag and has declined five such offers in the last one month

Every move of yours is watched and scrutinised. Does this attention bother you?

Not really. Thanks to my years of experience, I've learnt to take flak in my stride. When we were in the midst of starting the show, I readied myself for criticism. Different people have different views. Some appreciate my work and style, while some don't. That is fine with me. I don't expect everyone to like me.

Have you become immune to criticism?

No I'm not saying that. I'm human and being criticised does hurt but it doesn't bring me down. Initially, a lot of cricket gurus and veterans said that I was bad at my job and that I don't belong here. Today, those same people compliment me on my speech and knowledge. I feel life has come a full circle.

How is the experience of working in Extraa Innings?

To be called the face of Extraa Innings is a huge compliment. Hosting a show with stalwarts is a big honour and a bigger challenge. I owe a large part of my success to the show. The hype and the adulation that I experienced post World Cup is incomparable.

The entire packaging of Extraa Innings, this season is different from the last time.

Cricket and entertainment go hand in hand. Today, cricket is as big as Bollywood. So, we decided to club the game with entertainment. Apart from commentary, there is fortune telling, a nutritionist and celebrity guests on the show. It's like having coffee with a lot of froth on it. Entertainment is the froth, and what follows is the real thing.

Your role as an anchor has taken you away from television soaps. Is this a conscious move?

I've intentionally moved away from the run-of- the-mill television soaps. I don't see myself fit to play any of the existing characters on television. A progressive show like Shanti is what I crave for. But unfortunately such shows have no market these days. But, I'm hoping that some day our audiences will grow beyond the monotonous stuff being shown on TV. Then maybe some one will have a role for me.

Are you being approached to do films?

You'll be surprised I'm the most 'in demand' item girl down South. Last year, I did an item number in Simbu and Jyotika starrer Manmadhan, which turned out to be quite decent. Yana Gupta too had done an item number in the same film. After that I have been inundated with item numbers in South films. I've turned down five item number offers in the last one month. Honestly, I did the song in Manmadhan only to gain experience. Otherwise, I don't intend to continue with an 'item girl' image.

Apparently, you and your husband Raj Kaushal have decided not to work together.

Working together in Shaadi Ka Laddoo was enough. We'd fight almost everyday. Raj is a director and has his own vision and I have my own issues. So, the best option is not to work together. The trend of women producing films and husband directing them is on in full swing but I don't see myself doing that. Raj is extremely busy directing his films and my plate is full too. But Raj and I make it a point to spend quality time together. Our personal and professional equations are separate from each other. We're great as husband-wife but as director-actress we're a complete disaster.


• I've intentionally moved away from the run-of- the-mill television soaps. I don't see myself fit to play any of the existing characters on television — Mandira Bedi

sorry if posted before

Thanks for the article!! 😊