The real story: Rakhi, then and now !!

With millions watching her get hooked on live television, the former item girl has become the new queen of reality television.

Rakhi, who got engaged on Sunday to NRI Elesh on NDTV Imagine's Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, was first noticed for an 'item number' in Zayed Khan's debut film Chura Liya Hai Tumne in 2003.

Since then has been Bollywood's most wanted item girl.

She has also been media's darling for her quotable quotes, controversies (when pop singer Mika allegedly kissed her, forcibly) and publicity stunts designed for television (when she slapped her former boyfriend Abhishek on television).

While Rakhi found it hard to rip the 'item girl' tag off her and graduate to an actress, she's now reinvented herself as the queen of reality television.

It's a makeover which started with the first season of Bigg Boss on Sony Television in 2006 and continued with her participating in the reality dance show Nach Baliye with her former boyfriend Abhishek.

It wasn't long before the lady had her own talk shows as well, attended by some of Bollywood's biggest stars like Aamir Khan.

But the biggest of them all turned out to be NDTV Imagine's idea to get this firebrand starlet married on national television.

Rakhi's antics kept the audience hooked, with lots of drama on screen and off it as well.

"Unless there's family present, it can't be called a marriage. This is all a stunt," said Rakhi's brother Rakesh Sawant.

But whatever said, since Rakhi isn't officially married as yet, can the audience look forward to a Rakhi Ka Swayamvar Season 2, this time around with her 'real' family in tow?

Link : http://www.bollywoodsamachar.com/ShowNews.asp?NewsUrl=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/the-real-story-rakhi-then-and-now/98513-8.html