Source:khaleejtimes.com

The indefatigable Veena Malik is on a public search for a husband, but will anyone be able to equal Ashmit?

SHE’S MADE AN abundance of headlines over the last few months and with her upcoming movies and shows including an item song in Bollywood release Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai, don’t expect the tenacious Pakistani actress Veena Malik to fade away any time soon.

Getting ready for Imagine TV’s The Bachelorette-styled reality show Swayamvar, the beautiful performer, who shot to fame in the fourth season of India’s Bigg Boss where she met new best friend actor Ashmit Patel (Fight Club – Members Only, Toss), told City Times that she is completely willing to marry one of the contestants if they fit the bill.

“It depends on the person, but I am definitely open to get married and hope to find the one. However, he has to prove that he is worthy enough to marry me,” the Mohabbataan Sachiyaan star revealed.

It was a turbulent end to 2011 for Veena. Stories ranged from the outraged reaction back in her home nation to pictures that featured in men’s magazine FHM, to a brief disappearance leading to speculation that the actress had been kidnapped, to more controversy on her choice to play the biographical role of a sex worker named Madhuri in the soon to be premiered film Zindagi 50-50. At one point it seemed that not a day went past without Veena’s name linked to yet another scandal. With such a media furore it was difficult to predict what kind of interview would ensue when she touched down in Dubai to welcome in the New Year with the aforementioned Ashmit at the Fortune Plaza Hotel. Yet, the young woman that greeted us was totally unlike the personality she arguably likes to put forward in some television appearances. Sitting down with Veena, casually dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, she came across as thoughtful, sweet and at times overwhelmingly honest, to the point of sounding blunt.

HUSBAND MATERIAL

The conversation began by focusing on Swayamvar, which will air on the Imagine TV network. This will be the fourth series of the programme that looks to find a suitable life partner for its star through a series of challenges contestants must complete to prove their devotion. Open to any applicant from around the world, it was put to Veena what characteristics she hopes the final chosen few will possess.

“Looks are something I can compromise on. I’m not looking for a really good-looking man. If he is good looking, that’s okay too, but average is fine. The one thing is he has to have enough money to take care of me. If I were to say money is not important I would be lying. I’m not going to lie.”

It was a refreshingly straightforward answer to the question, quashing the notion that the show may be full of beauty-pageant scripted material that usually has the lady in question spouting lines on how a good sense of humour conquers all. Veena did go on to qualify her statement, though, with her thoughts on the importance of love.

“For me love has to be unconditional. It has to be pure and pristine. I cannot enter into a lifetime together without love and hopefully that will happen with one of the men on the show.”

But what about her views on looks? Obviously attraction plays a huge part in settling down with someone – surely she wouldn’t be too impressed if a ringer for Michael Moore strolled in, would she? Everyone has their tastes and limits, so who would the ideal suitor resemble? For this question, the artist turned uncharacteristically bashful. Making furtive glances at Ashmit, who was also party to the discussion, Veena couldn’t take the smile off her face.

“Don’t say me,” the actor jokingly warned – a request the beauty could not oblige.

“He should look at least a little like Ashmit,” Veena said. “He is the closest friend of mine so should be like him.”

COUPLE QUERY

Sat with the duo, it was clear that there was at least the hint that the idea of becoming more than just good friends had been mooted before. Unequivocally comfortable in each other’s company, we don’t want to suggest there was more than meets the eye, but the magnetism was certainly palpable.

The question had to be asked if Veena would ever be willing to give it a go with her best friend, a confessed non-believer in marriage. Her answer in the negative seemed more a result of Ashmit’s reluctance to ever enter into the matrimonial institution rather than a lack of interest.

“If he proposed I would have thought about it, but he never did. I believe in formalising things where he doesn’t. So, it’s not going to happen. He’s probably not rich enough, but he is good looking. I’m not upset, though.

“I believe in signing a contract and being together officially. It’s the right thing when you know that you have found the correct person. I know the person will be right because I can predict the future that way.”

This revelation will come as good news to the millions of male fans Veena can count among her admirers and not least the Swayamvar finalists. The confirmed singleton went on to further qualify whom she would like to meet on the show by adding that they could be of any age (within reason), nationality or religious denomination.

BEST FOOT FORWARD

The start of a new year is a time when one looks forward with a clean slate. Last year was extremely eventful for Veena, but with the possibility of five Bollywood releases this year, it could be that the storm is fully behind her. Yet, a meeting couldn’t go by without a brief mention of how the FHM case, where alleged topless pictures of the artist were published, is going and if there was any truth to the rumours that went flying round when she went incommunicado for a few days in December.

“The media in Pakistan and India immediately react to something and make it much bigger than it is. They do not know the facts,” Veena explained. “After the images there was immediate reaction saying ‘Veena did this.’ They did not even ask me.

“The first thing I said was that these pictures were morphed. You should at least listen to the poor girl when she is telling you what happened. I did not pose nude or topless, it’s simple. None of the images are like that.”

She went on to say that the case is still being debated in an Indian court, but she expects a positive verdict.

“The FHM guys claim they have got a video of me, proving I took those shots as they are; where is the video? Now they are hiding and not even talking about it. I’m the victim. I got cheated.

“With the ‘disappearance’ – I had two days off. When I switched on my phone after I had rested, I came to know about the whole fiasco and again all the blame was put on me.”

In response to how she handles the pressure and the best way to move on Veena concluded with the old adage that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

“Every year I want to learn and move on. I never regret the mistakes I make, but I learn not to repeat them.”

Ashmit’s take

On not believing in marriage…

I believe in having a life partner or soul mate to spend the rest of my life with. It’s just the pressures that come with marriage that I don’t agree with. Maybe later in life, as I grow, I may understand it a little better, but as of now I don’t ever want to get married.

If you have children it makes life easier on them if you’re formally married with the legalities and all. But the way marriage is, especially in India, it has degraded over the past decade. Ten years ago it was unheard of to get divorced, but now it’s very commonplace. Friends of mine are getting divorced, so where’s the sanctity of the institution? When you’re up at the alter saying the words, do they mean anything any more? I don’t believe them if it’s so easy to give up.

I believe in spirituality and having a soul mate beside me for life, but without signing a contract.

On meeting Veena’s future husband

He has to get along with me; I’m her only friend! I’m happy if she finds someone she really likes.

On her “disappearance”

I spoke to a Hindi channel in India at the time and said ‘I’m her closest friend, I know she’s fine and if anyone should be worried it should be me and I’m not.’  They didn’t listen. They had me smuggling her to the border because her visa expired and all sorts, it was crazy, but that’s what happens when you’re in show business.

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