From playing fiery journalist Shanti in 1994 to drawing attention for her “spaghetti strap” sari blouses as she hosted the ICC Cricket World Cups and the Champions Trophies, Mandira Bedi has always caught the Indian TV audience’s eye.
Juggling her acting projects, motherhood and her recently opened store (she now designs saris), the actress who was recently seen in the TV show 24 says that 2013 has been “the busiest year in her 19-year-old career”. Mandy, will be in the city for the exhibition Araaish on January 17.
Explaining her journey from actress to designer, she says, “One day, I walked into a store, bought some fabric, and then went to the tailor. I instructed him to make a sari out of the material. While it didn’t turn out to be great, that was how it all started.”
“My husband is the one who pushed me. He even got in touch with an exhibition in Mumbai where I first displayed my work,” she adds.
Mandira followed up her good sale at the exhibition by participating in another one, this time in Singapore. And the result was good. After the initial push, her supportive husband Raj Kaushal helped her realise her dream of opening a store.
But her first love will always be TV, as she exclaims, “Even though it was hectic, the last year was fantastic! I got to act with acclaimed actors like Anil Kapoor, what more could I have asked for? But this year, I plan to take things slower.”
Despite her busy life, Mandira makes motherhood seem easy. But she says it’s anything but that. “I was always busy but the true test came when I had my baby. I didn’t want to be an absentee mom, so if either Raj or I can’t stay home, I take Vir along with me,” the doting mama says.
What next for the versatile entertainer? “Well, I just turned down a highly-rated TV show due to time constraints,” she informs.
What about movie offers from down South? “I’ve been offered quite a few roles, but nothing exciting so far. I either get asked to perform item numbers or bhabhi and vamp roles. I don’t want to commit so much time to a project that I’m not sure of,” she replies.
Ask her if she’s worried about the competition she could face, considering that the South is famous for its sarees and she says, “No way! I can’t and I am not competing with tradition.”
