Exclusive: Why only Dhoni, no one talks about my other boyfriends, says Raai Laxmi

Raai Laxmi is on an absolute high with the promos of Julie 2 trending across social media, and the actress’ svelte look creating quite a buzz. But the actress says there was serious work involved behind this sizzling new avatar — “For my Hindi debut, I’ve lost 7 ½ kilos. For this reason I’ve lost films in the south! They’re saying I am too skinny now. But if I am to work in Bollywood I have to have a bikini body, right?”

Laxmi has herself gone through some of her character’s struggles in the movie. “I never had to face the casting couch. But I was propositioned in indirect ways and subjected to a lot of humiliation. It is something all newcomers go through, unless you are from the film industry.”

And suddenly, she’s also in the news again for her previous link-up with Indian cricketer M.S. Dhoni, even though the rumours supposedly died down years ago. But Laxmi is finally unafraid to talk about it. Did her relationship with M S Dhoni affect her career?

She takes a deep breath. “It didn’t affect my career, but it seems to have made a permanent place in my reputation. So many years after it ended, I am still being asked about it. The strange part is that the headlines in Mumbai make it seem as if I am seeking publicity by talking about him — when in truth I’ve gotten over whatever existed between us a long time ago. I’ve been in four to five relationships since. No one asks about them, although my other boyfriends were well-known. Why only M.S Dhoni?”

She says she met Dhoni because of her interest in sports — “I was a sports enthusiast from school, won many medals for games. I wasn’t crazy about any one sport. I wasn’t a cricket fan as such... just a sports fanatic when I met Dhoni. One thing led to another, and here I am still answering questions about him when I have moved on. He has moved on too.”

Laxmi who comes from a family of three sisters is in no relationship right now. “I’ve realised it’s either a relationship or a career for me. I can’t have both. When I am in a relationship, I lose focus of my career. So I’d rather concentrate on my work. Love can wait.”