Why can't I be cast in roles like Smita Patil: Rakhi Sawant

Item girl Rakhi Sawant, who has signed a new semi-autobiographical Broadway-style Bollywood musical called "Balti Devi: Queen Of Southall", is looking for an image makeover. "If I want I can make people weep like Meena Kumari. I live in India and I do feel uncomfortable with my image sometimes. Whatever I've done so far is because the public demanded it. It's the public that's undressing me," Rakhi told IANS in an interview

"Heroines send me SMS messages asking why I dress up the way I do. What right do they have to question me? Why can't a nice clean film like 'Swami' click? And why can't I be cast in roles like Smita Patil? Even she did hot scenes," she added.

Her much-touted stint in "Buddha Mar Gaya" died a quiet death.

Talking about the film, she said: "I'm made to behave and dress in a certain way because of who I am. I was pulled up for making love with older men like Anupam Kherji, Om Puriji and Prem Chopraji in 'Buddha Mar Gaya'. If I did the same way scenes with Shah Rukh Khan, people would applaud."

Rakhi's semi-autobiographical musical will be directed by the legendary Shammi Kapoor's son Mickey Kapoor, who earlier made "Sambar Salsa" and "Don't Stop Dreaming".

"Balti Devi" is the story of a poor Southall girl who dances and sings her way to stardom.

"It's a story almost like Rakhi's own. And she's so perfect for the part. I couldn't think of anyone else. Rakhi gets to sing and dance. She's the male Govinda and this film showcases her aptitudes," said Mickey.

All said and done, Rakhi loves the media attention.

"Even when they write wrong about me I've no complaints. Like they wrote that I'd bring my own clothes from home for 'Buddha Mar Gaya'. Not true at all. In fact, I was really uncomfortable in the red gown where almost my entire breasts were revealed.

"I used to quarrel with my director every day about the clothes. Everyone on the sets ogled at my breasts on the sets. I'm shameless otherwise. But sometimes when people ogle I do get uncomfortable. I am a woman, after all."

What Rakhi wants is to be a housewife.

But she confessed: "I don't want to get married. I've struggled so much to get where I am. What will I do after marriage? I want to establish my boyfriend Abhishek. I'll make him a star. You watch us in 'Nach Baliye 3'. Although I've big problems with my back and knees, I'm doing this show only for Abhishek.

"People will forget 'Nach Baliye' and 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'. They'll only talk about Rakhi and Abhishek. So far I've danced to other people's tunes. Now I'll dance to the rhythms that run inside me. I want to become world famous. In fact, I got an international offer for which I learnt English. But I refused it."

She also wants to be known as an all-rounder.

"Watch me in Mickey Kapoor's film and also in Suniel Shetty's production. I want to be known as an all-rounder, a girl who can dance, act and also make mincemeat of all the competition in a reality show."

Subhash K. Jha