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 Big 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.
Video: Hitesh Harisinghani
'I am a shy girl and it takes time for me to open up'
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 Big 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.
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'
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?
Yes, it is over.
