Pooja Bedi has chosen to reside a life in a different way and be a trailblazer in her personal gentle. “I march to the beat of my own drum,” she says. The actor-host who turns 52 at the moment, is in a contented area.
“I at all times consider in holding the kid in me alive. Look at a median 50 12 months outdated — jaded, bored, in a rut. We shut up our playful, curious, joyful internal baby and tow the road of seriousness. Life is so quick. We complicate a easy journey. I select to reside in a different way,” Pooja informed indianexpress.com.
Born to icons Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi, Pooja calls herself a “positive product of that incredible liberal, bohemian, firebrand upbringing.” Her father’s performing profession spreads throughout industries globally. At 70, he tied the knot for a fourth time with Parveen Dosanjh regardless of an age hole of 30 years. Her mom was a model-turned-Odissi exponent.
“To love deeply, to query limiting conventions, to face up for what is correct, to empower and combat for the rights of others, and to at all times preserve a way of humour, particularly at myself have been some key highlights (of my upbringing) , she mentioned.
Taking a cue, one can recall how Pooja turned a nationwide sensation when she obtained related to a condom marketing campaign together with mannequin Marc Robinson. Directed by Alyque Padamsee, the advert was shot in Goa and confirmed Pooja beneath a bathe. It ultimately obtained banned on Doordarshan, nevertheless it opened a dialog round the usage of condoms to unfold AIDS consciousness in India.
Looking again at changing into a part of one thing so revolutionary, Pooja mentioned, “It was nice to be a fire-starter. The marketing campaign was touted as the start of the sexual revolution in India by British tabloids. It received many awards and made promoting historical past. It was nice to have been a trailblazer due to it.”
Further expressing happiness that the youth of at the moment are rather more comfy about their sexual needs, be it live-in-relationships, inter-caste marriages or LGBTQ decisions, she went on to “thank heavens that folks at the moment are so open about their sexuality. “
The condom endorsement obtained her Bollywood presents too. Pooja Bedi signed her first movie Vishkanya in the identical 12 months, 1991. She ultimately, additionally landed her memorable look in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), the place she performed the love curiosity of Aamir Khan’s Sanju. Her flying-dress sequence in “Pehla Nasha” ended up getting enlisted as an iconic shot in Bollywood. “That flying red dress in Pehla Nasha song has immortalised me. It was so much fun shooting the film. It was the best thing that ever happened to my public image and to keep me in everyone’s memory,” she reminisces. Though she confessed that she laughs at her movie performances today. “And my kids laugh even harder,” she added.
Pooja entered showbiz on the age of 18, met her ex-husband Farhan Furniturewala at 20, and obtained married when she was 24. “In that era, once an actress was married, it was the end of her career.” But not for her. Post her divorce in 2003, she did TV actuality exhibits like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Nach Baliye, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Maa Exchange and Bigg Boss 5. She additionally hosted the discuss present Just Pooja on Zoom channel.
And amid all of this, she additionally introduced up two youngsters – Alaya and Omar. For Pooja, probably the most troublesome half as a single mom was “being the solo dominant parent and having to multitask work, home, kids, friends, perhaps a new relationship, playing both good cop and bad cop, and dealing with the inevitable guilt of any time spent away from them.”
Pooja Bedi with father Kabir Bedi, and children Alaya and Omar. (Photos: Instagram/Pooja Bedi)
According to her, she focussed on remaining buddies together with her former husband in order that her youngsters retain a wholesome bond with him, “Your divorce does not affect their relationship with either parent.” Pooja believed that no baby must be denied that love.
Now that her daughter Alaya F is an actor herself, does she really feel protecting? Alaya made her Bollywood debut with Jawaani Jaaneman reverse Saif Ali Khan in 2020. Pooja shared that she is a protecting mom, however not possessive. “My function as a mom is to information them and never management them. I consider in giving each Alaya and Omar the area and freedom to make their very own decisions and nurture their individuality.”
Pooja obtained engaged to businessman Maneck Contractor in 2019. Sharing how he introduced “love, stability, fun, adventure and kindness into all our lives”, she revealed that each one these years, her major focus has been her youngsters liking and respecting the boys who want to enter her life, and vice-versa. “Only then do I allow them into our space,” she mentioned. “I’ve had a number of relationships put up my divorce in 2003 and every has been precisely what was wanted for that time in my life. Maneck has been an unimaginable human being and somebody who I can envision spending the remainder of my life with. We completely love and adore him.”
Pooja Bedi and Maneck Contractor obtained engaged in 2019. (Photo: Instagram/Pooja Bedi)
Pooja, who at present resides in Goa, would possibly come throughout as a fashionista within the Mumbai circuits, however she claims to guide a straightforward life again dwelling. “In Rome, do as the Romans do! You should see me here in Goa. I’m in chappal with flouncy clothes and virtually no make up. It’s a delight to dress up and be in another avatar in Mumbai,” she mentioned with a smile.
Pooja Bedi turned an entrepreneur few years again. Today, she is the founding father of a wellness market Happy Soul and accomplice of Magicians of Wellness (India) LLP.
“I thank my parents and life for shaping me to be the person I am today and thank the universe for all the opportunities and guidance it sent my way,” she indicators off.
Happy birthday, Pooja Bedi!
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
