Item numbers aren’t my thing: Mandira Bedi

Actor Mandira Bedi (left) might not be active in Bollywood or in the television industry now, but whenever she gets a chance to do significant roles, she takes it up. Best remembered for her TV shows Shanti (1994) and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000) and film Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge (1995), Mandira turned cricket presenter in 2003, which has somehow restricted her identity. However, the actor says that that’s not the only thing which has kept her busy. “I enjoy acting. All this while, with all the anchoring I’ve done, people completely forgot that I’m an actor. But it feels fantastic that even after 21 years in the business, I’m still doing some exciting work.” Mandira, who is working on a Tamil film, where she plays the role of a cop, says, “I get many offers from Tamil films but I refuse to do them because I get offers to do item songs.” She made her firstever appearance in a Tamil film, Manmadhan (2004) in an item number. “That was more than 10 years ago. I had done the film, since Simbhu, the actor of the film, came over to my house and said ‘I want you in my film anyhow’. But, after that, I turned item numbers down because it’s not my thing. I did one and ticked it off my bucket list,” she says. About her next Tamil film, Mandira says that it is a love story, where she plays the role of a tough police officer. The actor says that though language is a barrier, she is thoroughly enjoying the making of the film. “I was pleasantly surprised to see the trailer. I’m not playing the lead, but the trailer had loads of my shots. I know my role but I never thought there will be so much of me. After all, the first look decides how you want to sell the film.”

PHOTO: PRODIP GUHA/HT