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Mandira Bedi (Punjabi: ਮੰਦਿਰਾ ਬੇਦੀ, Hindi: मन्दिरा बेदी, Urdu: مندِرا بیدی) (born 15 April 1972) is an Indian Bollywood actress, model and television presenter who gained celebrity in her early twenties as a result of playing the title role in the 1994 television serial Shanti, shown on India's national channel, Doordarshan.
She continued a high profile career in the next decade with hosting duties for Cricket World Cups[1] and presentations alongside top TV personality Charu Sharma.
Early life
A native of Mumbai, Mandira Bedi has her ancestral roots in the Khatri clan of Fazilka, a town in Punjab, 11 kilometres from the India-Pakistan border. She studied at Mumbai's Cathedral and John Connon School.
Career
After her star-making turn in Shanti, appeared in a supporting role in the 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and played the main villainess, "Mandira", called "Mona" in the popular Indian soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Among her other career highlights was a stint as one of the presenters on the Indian television talent contest/reality show, Fame Gurukul [Performing Arts Academy Fame], which ended on 20 October 2005, replacing R. Madhavan as the anchor of Deal Ya No Deal, and performing hosting duties on the musical reality show Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star, aired by one of India's most popular entertainment channels, STAR One, as well as posing for a photo layout in the men's magazine Maxim India Magazine.[1].
She created a stir in Bangladesh over her criticism of the national cricket team following their win against India national cricket team in the 2007 Cricket World Cup group stages.[3] In an episode of the program Extraa 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, leading 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. Premrog. 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, 1998 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2005. Accusations in the same case were also brought against the purported designer of the saree, Indian fashion creator Satya Paul.
She became embroiled in another controversy upon being spotted wearing on her back a tattoo of Ik Onkar, the Sikh symbol of unity of God, which led to a furious outpouring from the Sikh community. She has reportedly apologised to the key Sikh organization, SGPC (The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee), also referred to as the parliament of the Sikhs[3].
Mandira Bedi was the coverl girl for the April edition of Maxim India Magazine.[4]
Personal life
Mandira Bedi married Indian movie director Raj Kaushal on 14 February 1999, and lives in the Mumbai suburb of Bandra.
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