September 27, 2013 4:46:26 am
Mahindra Bedi,who is on a comeback trail post Indian Idol Junior and ’24,’ dishes out her mantras of surviving television.
“For 10 years,I have not been part of any fiction show. I was offered roles in television and films but I decided that if I do get back to fiction,it would be with a show centered around me. And then,’24’ came my way and I dumped that idea. I had seen the first season of the American series 24 and I finished watching the first season in one weekend. The character of Nina Myers played by Sarah Clarke was very good. Abhinay Deo (the director) called me and offered me a political character in 24. I went to him and told him look at me,with my short hair. I am Nina Myers,” says Mandira Bedi.
This is how I came to play Nikita Rai in the Indian series.
“The last fiction role I played was that of Mandira Bedi in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ and I opted out when the show was at its peak. If anything defies logic in my head,I can’t do it. In this case,the makers of the show wanted to develop a tune every time I appeared and wanted me to tap my fingers in a way that was the last straw and I quit. I have to love my work and if I am not happy,I won’t do it.”
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“After this,cricket happened and I was in everyones face. Post that,everybody only saw me as an anchor or a host. I got film offers from item numbers to playing someones bhabhi or sister. Smaller banners offered lead roles too but I didnt want to invest my time and energy in a movie that may not even see the light of day,” she says.
“In the meantime,I had a baby and started my own line of saris this month. A couple of months ago,I went to a tailor with some fabric and got a sari designed. It was then that the idea of a sari line clicked and my sister-in-law in Singapore asked me to exhibit 50 pieces in Singapore. I launched my line in Mumbai recently and it was a sell out. I couldn’t believe that people actually bought something I created. I never went to a design school. I will be opening a store in Mumbai soon.”
“I am 41and I have been in the business for 19 years and its now that I am the busiest I am acting in ’24,’ I just finished anchoring ‘Indian Idol’,I have a baby and a sari line.”
“Over the years I have realised that it’s difficult to survive in the entertainment industry,especially if you defy all rules. When I got this pixie cut,a lot of people told me to think twice since this industry has a certain mould for female characters. But I have always only done stuff that I wanted to and that’s why I am still around. My choices have been unconventional and I have never gone after work. When I wasnt acting in films and television shows,I was doing theatre. It always keeps the actor in me alive. When I had the baby I thought I would never work again. Maybe this feeling of insecurity is the reason that I even delayed the thought of being a mother. But I guess it all changed and I am at the best juncture of my life right now.”
Mandira Bedi
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