People stopped considering me as an actor: Mandira Bedi

Mumbai: Popular television presenter Mandira Bedi, who has hosted various cricket based shows, says people had stopped looking at her as an actor.

After acting in popular shows like `Shanti` and `Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi`, Mandira appeared on TV shows as a host or anchor. Now, she is back on television after nine years with Indian adaptation of American drama series `24`. "I have always been on television in cricket hosting, anchoring reality shows. After cricket shows people stopped looking at me as an actor and thought of me as an anchor. But returning to acting on small screen is wonderful, with a platform like this (`24`)," Mandira said. "I always thought I will wait for a channel to come with a Mandira centric role. But when I got this offer I forgot all about that. I want to be a part of the show. I want this to be the platform for my come back in acting," she added. In the show, Bedi plays a government agent, named Nikita Rai, based on the character Nina Myers, essayed by US actress Sarah Clarke in the original show. Mandira loves her character and she completely relates to it. She was amazed with the desire and energy of actor producer Anil Kapoor. "It is amazing working with him. He is super fit, has got enthusiasm like a newcomer, which is very rare to find in people who have been around for so long. He makes us feel young again," she said. The Hindi version of `24` is written by Rensil D`Silva, directed by Abhinay Deo and produced by Kapoor. It will premiere in October. On personal front, Mandira, who is married to director Raj Kaushal and has a son named Vir, seems quite excited to adopt a baby girl. "We will be bringing a baby girl home soon. I always wanted to adopt a little girl. My husband and I had thought about this before we got married. My son is two years old and now he is little more independent. I think it is the right time to bring a baby girl home," she added. Also, she will be launching her saree line soon. "I have designed 150 sarees. I am launching my line at Araish exhibition in Mumbai on September 3 and 4 and later in Singapore. It is not heavily embroidered. I have played on fabric and used hues such as neon, turquoise, lime green and coral," she added. PTI