Mumbai: Pakistan`s cross-dressing talk-show host Begum Nawazish Ali, who was hastened out of Mumbai to avoid a Shiv Sena backlash soon after being evicted from "Bigg Boss" house, says she would love to return as she can find better job opportunities here.
"At the moment Pakistan is plagued with problems. Entertainment is not a priority there. I am an entertainer and India can provide me with lots of work. If I get work, of course, I`ll return," said Begum before leaving for Pakistan Saturday.
Ali Saleem, the Begum of TV show, said he was surprised when he found that Shiv Sena was targeting him and fellow Pakistani Veena Mallik for featuring in "Bigg Boss 4".
"I did hear about it. It surprised me. I saw no logic behind this kind of a protest. I didn`t choose to be born in Pakistan. It`s something that just happened to me. If I was born in Mumbai, I`d have been an Indian," he said.
Excerpts from interview:
Q: What are your plans?
A: As soon as I came out of "Bigg Boss", I went to a friend`s house in Mumbai. In the morning, I returned to my hotel in an auto-rickshaw. This evening (Saturday) I leave Mumbai.
Q: You should have stayed a while?
A: I don`t think the channel wants me to, not after the Shiv Sena`s protests. I`m going back home, I`m missing my mom. I`ve been completely cut off inside "Bigg Boss". When I came out of the house, they didn`t allow me to talk to my family until very late in the night. I got a mobile phone at 1 a.m. At that time I woke up my mom and dad. Both my parents had been watching me on "Bigg Boss" and were very proud of me.
Q: When you came out of "Bigg Boss", you must have heard of the political campaign to get you out of the country?
A: I did hear about it. It surprised me. I saw no logic behind this kind of a protest. Both Veena Malik and I were inside the house not as representatives of any country but as players in a game show. I didn`t choose to be born in Pakistan. It`s something that just happened to me. If I was born in Mumbai, I`d have been an Indian. Sixtythree years ago we were one nation. Why do we waste so much time in negativity?
Q: Do you plan to return to India?
A: I`d love to. I don`t like to mince my words. At the moment Pakistan is plagued with problems. Entertainment is not a priority there. I am an entertainer and India can provide me with lots of work. When I come to India, I don`t come as a Pakistani. I come here as an actor. If I get work, of course, I`ll return.
Q: Was there a solidarity between you and Veena Malik in the "Bigg Boss" house?
A: Both Veena and I are from Pakistan and we`re both from television. But we`ve met only two-three times. But obviously when you`re abroad, then meeting someone from home means a lot. Even as a person I like Veena a lot. She`s frank and she said what she had to in front of you. She isn`t two-faced.
Q: You`ve a strong feminine side to your personality. Why did you choose to focus on the masculine side inside the "Bigg Boss" house?
A: I was born a man. But to become `Begum` needs elaborate preparation. I need a whole team of people to dress me up.
Q: Are you saying Begum is just a character you play?
A: No, she is a part of me. But she`s very high-maintenance.
Q: Is it difficult maintaining a bi-sexual life in a conservative society like Pakistan?
A: Not at all. Contrary to belief, Pakistan is not such a conservative country. I`m free to lead my life how I choose to.
Q: You live with your parents in Pakistan?
A: My parents are separated. I live with my mother in Islamabad. My father lives in Karachi. I spend a lot of time doing my television work in Karachi. When I`m there, I stay with my father. But my bonding with my mother is unique.
Q: Do you have a love life?
A: I had a love life. Now I am going to a normal life.
IANS
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.