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Hi friends, Monica Bedi was a rising starlet when she first met underworld gangster Abu Salem in Dubai. That meeting changed her life forever. Monica and Abu fell in love, lived together for a while, and were caught in Portugal. They were brought to India, arrested, and tried. While Abu was jailed for his crimes, Monica got a chance to start life afresh. She got a chance to make a comeback in Bigg Boss, but was evicted last Friday after staying in the house for three weeks. She talks to Rajul Hegde about her experiences, Abu Salem and much more. What were your expectations when you entered the Bigg Boss house? I took up this show because I wanted people to see the real Monica. I am glad it worked for me. There was a major major change in such a short period and people have understood and loved me. The kind of response I am getting is amazing. How was your experience in the house? It was a very good experience. After a really long time, I laughed from my heart. I will always cherish it. 
Do think you were voted out because of your closeness to Rahul Mahajan? I don't think I was voted out because of Rahul. Someone has to be nominated every week; it's a part of the game. I have heard different reasons for me being nominated. The first is that I didn't open up easily. I agree with that. I am a shy girl and it takes time for me to open up. The other reason could be insecurity. There is a lot of politics in the house. The housemates may have felt that I am a threat to them, that I could have won. Now, I am out of the house and don't have anything against anyone. Is Rahul Mahajan just a friend? Rahul is just a friend. Rakhi Vijan, Rahul and I really bonded in the house. It is a nice friendship. Do you think the publicity you got in Bigg Boss will help your career? Yes. It has already made a major difference. I am getting good offers and I am grateful to Edemol production house and Colors channel for this. Whatever offers I am getting today is because of them. Does it mean that your struggles have ended? To a certain extent, yes. But there is still a long way to go. We all have to struggle in life, which is never ending. Are three weeks in Bigg House enough to clear up you image? When I was nominated, I was afraid that three weeks were not enough for me to show the real me. I wondered how much they could show me in three weeks and 45 minutes a day. 
You said in an interview that when you first met Abu Salem, you didn't know his real identity. When I first spoke to him, he didn't tell his real name. I fell in love with him after a few meetings in Dubai. By the time I came to know who he really was, I was already madly in love with him. Things were not under my control and everything was uncertain. Why didn't you end the relationship when you learnt the truth? I tried to find my way out but by then, the news was already all over the place. The media knew I was seeing him. He feared that he would be caught through me. He called me to Dubai; I went thinking that I will be back in two or three days after sorting out the issue. But he didn't let me come back to India because he feared for his life. You even mentioned in an interview that you tried to escape but could not. Yes, after living with him I realised that we are two different people and that we cannot live together. I tried to escape but he found out about it. But he understood that he cannot force me to live with him. He told me to give him some time to find a way for him to be safe. In the meantime, we got arrested. I tried hard to get out of this, but the situation was different and everything happened one after the other. Do you still love him? No. I don't love him anymore. The relationship is over and it has more than six years now. So do you think the chapter is over now? 
When did you last meet Abu Salem? I met him last in a Portugal courtroom for two minutes in 2004. He apologised to me for what I had to go through because of him. He also told me to marry someone and lead a normal life, and wished me good luck. You said in Bigg Boss that you are finding it hard to get a house on rent in Mumbai. Sanjay Nirupam has promised to help you. Did you contact him after coming out of the house? I spoke to him recently. He told me that a house is being sorted out. I apologised for causing him trouble. Hopefully, I will be able to live in Lokhandwala Complex [in Andheri, a Western suburb in Mumbai]. It was reported that CBI has asked the production house for tapes of your conversations in Bigg Boss house. I have heard the news from the media. Well, they are free to take them if they want. This way, any misunderstandings and doubts can be clarified. You had taken off your mike while talking to Rakhi Vijan in Bigg Boss. Why did you do that? 
It was reported that Abu Salem is unhappy because of your closeness to Rahul. I don't believe this; it is just a story made up by the media. He himself told me to settle down in life, so why would he be unhappy to see me close to Rahul? There is no truth in it. Rahul and I are just friends. Did you call your parents after you came out of Bigg Boss? My parents watched Bigg Boss, and are happy for me. People are calling them from Punjab with a positive response. Have you got any offers after coming out of Bigg Boss? People, who were hesitant earlier, are approaching me now. I think there was some confusion before -- either they were afraid or something was stopping them from approaching me. All that has changed now, thanks to Bigg Boss. I am getting offers from Bollywood, Tollywood, Telugu films and television.
'I wanted people to see the real Monica'
Video: Hitesh Harisinghani
'I am a shy girl and it takes time for me to open up'
But I was wrong. I got an amazing response when I came out of the house. People have really understood me in that short period. My intentions are fulfilled.
'I don't love Abu Salem anymore'
Yes, it is over.
'Abu Salem told me to marry someone else and live a normal life'
It was personal and had nothing to do with Abu Salem. I was just not comfortable speaking with the mike on.
'Why would Abu Salem be unhappy to see me close to Rahul?'
I will definitely return to my profession and I am excited about it. After eight years, I am longing to work.
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