MEHTA CLAIMS SHE’S NOT A FIXER
Knowing somebody - a cricketer to be precise - does that make me a match-fixer? And even if I was dating him, there is nothing wrong with that. That's my personal life
Q: Everyday, there's a new story about you...
Well, I'd like to make it very clear that all accusations levelled against me by the Sunday Times London edition, of me being involved in the Indo-pak semi-final match-fixing scam, are not true. Now, they are putting up articles on my personal life - of me being involved or dating Sri Lankan cricketer Dilshan Tillakaratne - I mean, I'm completely confused as to what they want to accuse me of. Do they want to dig up my personal life, or they want to claim I am involved in match-fixing? Now, they are saying I was seen in London during the T20 World Cup - suddenly there are so many issues. I am coping boldly, as I am a very bold person, and as for my decision to sue the paper - I am considering it.
Q: Your family is standing by you?
I have an elder brother who is an automobile engineer in the UK. I come from a very well-educated and dignified family and they know how to handle such things with dignity. They are very supportive, they know I've not done anything wrong.
Q: Did you date Dilshan, or no?
Yes, I did. So what? I am not liable to answer things about my personal life. Yes, as was reported, I was in the casino and I saw the cricketers there, and they were all there. But that's about it. I don't want to drag this any further, and would be issuing a clarification shortly.
Q: And the bookmaker you were apparently sharing a room with?
I never said anything like that. I would like to clarify that too. That was all false. I was not staying with any bookmaker, I did not share anything with anyone there. I paid my own bills and the room was booked in my name. This report is completely false and more of a character assault on me, than trying to prove my hand in fixing any match.
Q: Don't you think Dilshan might be affected by this revelation?
Knowing somebody - a cricketer to be precise - does that make me a match-fixer? And even if I was dating him, there is nothing wrong with that. That's my personal life.
Q: Any chances of other cricketers' names cropping up in connection with you?
See, even if I have dated, or not dated, or if I was friendly, or not friendly, that is my personal life. So, firstly I don't want to drag any more names into it if I can help it, and I don't want to reveal anything about my personal life either. And still, I challenge anyone to come up with any pictures that will compromise my stand. Go ahead and prove it. And then, let me clarify my side.
Q: You were consistently seen with cricketers - maybe this honeytrapping thing sprung from there...
I would reiterate - seeing somebody is not a crime, neither is being in a relationship with anyone, nor being friendly to people. As for the allegations - I challenge you, I challenge the Sunday Times to prove it. And then let me face it boldly in my own humble way.
Q: Are you friendly with anyone in the current Indian cricket team?
(pauses) Firstly, no names. I will always follow this policy. Coming to the question - so what if I am? Even if I am friendly with the entire team, I am not liable to answer for this - I am not into some crime if I know them, or anybody for that matter. Why are you, why is everyone now diverting the attention from the main issue at hand - which seems to have international potency - to my personal life now? Because there is no evidence whatsoever. They have nothing else to write about the match-fixing issue, so they are now digging into my past, my life.
Q: One would assume the point being made here is that you ARE in touch with many cricketers, and a honeytrap would be doing just that...
Or maybe they found me so modern and sexy that they morphed my face and put that first picture in the article without even naming me. They could have done that with any picture and said it was for representation - but no, they seem to be so in love with me that they know everything about me all of a sudden - who I date, where I go, what I do... come on, give me a break. How is all this possible without setting up an agenda first? I rubbish all these articles!
Q: You are a Delhiite and Delhi never knew you dated Dilshan, but a UK reporter did...
The reporter is obsessed with me - he is in love with me. There can be no other explanation. See, even if I was dating Dilshan, or not dating him, or even if I was STILL dating him, my point is, prove that I am a criminal.
Q: Veena Malik singlehandedly brought down an entire Pak cricket team with her allegations...
Who is she? Veena who?
Pakistani actress Veena Malik.
Firstly, I don't know who she is. Of course, I have heard of Pakistani cricketers like Asif and all that, and I know that they also went to jail over some match-fixing scams. And the lady you are talking of - I have no clue who she is. So let people say what they want to, let them compare me with whoever. As for me, I have no comments.
Q: Will we see you attending the IPL matches?
Of course. I am a free girl of an independent country. And my country allows me to go to any club, or match, or entertainment venues, or games and tournaments. And so, I am definitely going to be seen at the IPL matches, I am going to be seen wherever I want to. There is no doubt about that.
Q: But the cameras will focus on you more than the Bollywood stars.
Yes, all of a sudden, I have become the darling of the country. Everybody wants to talk about me, everybody seems to be so interested in me, so I am enjoying every bit of it, and I am enjoying myself.
Q: Have you been offered a Bollywood film yet?
Yes, Mahesh Bhatt has offered me a role, but I will take my time to come to a decision. For now, let me enjoy this bit of controversy, and then I will concentrate on my film career. I have been reading scripts and meeting people, but I am in no hurry.