Mandira Bedi

Mandira Bedi (Punjabi: ਮੰਦਿਰਾ ਬੇਦੀ, Hindi: मन्दिरा बेदी, Urdu: مندِرا بیدی), is an Indian Bollywood actress, who shot to international fame first as television serial Shanti (1995) and then as a television presenter during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and also in 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Family and earlier life

She was born (April 15, 1972) and brought up in Bombay and is married to an Indian movie director Raj Kaushal on February 14, 1999, and lives in Bandra, Mumbai. She studied at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai.

Film/Television Career

She was also one of the presenters in the Indian television show, Fame Gurukul which ended on 20 October, 2005. Mandira Bedi replaced R. Madhavan as the Anchor of Deal Ya No Deal. Among her notable films are Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) and Manmadhan (2004) (a Tamil film). Apart from Shanti, she was also one of the main villains in the popular Indian soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, in which she portrayed Mandira (a character).

In Cricket Shows

Although she does not provide insights into the game, her presence led to increased TRPs for the show.

Controversy in the shows

Stir in Bangladesh She created a stir in Bangladesh over her criticism of the Bangladeshi Cricket Team following their win against India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup group stages.[1] Stir in India In an episode of the program Extraaa Innings', she wore a saree sporting flags of various nations, taking part in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Indian flag was at the bottom of the saree, near her feet and this led to resentment among Indian viewers. [2] On grounds of having shown disrespect to the Indian national flag, a complaint was filed against her, through advocate S.K. Premraj. The complaint alleges that the offense is punishable under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 as amended by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2003 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2005. The Indian fashion designer Satya Paul (who is said to have designed the saree), has also been arrayed as an accused in the said case.

Tattoo controversy

She was in the middle of a controversy recently when she was spotted wearing a tatto of Ik Onkar on her back, leading to infuriation of the Sikh community. She has reportedly apologised to the SGPC (The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, a Sikh organization).

In media

She recently posed for the magazine Maxim.[3]

See also

• List of Indian movie actresses