More than a decade ago, Rakhi Sawant had done her Swayamvar on National TV with the reality show, Rakhi Ka Swayamvar. Now, Bigg Boss 13 inmate Shehnaaz Gill is all set to choose her life partner with the show Mujhse Shaadi Karoge. Shehnaaz's father Santokh Singh Sukh had uttered a remark recently by saying that "Instead of building an image of Sana that is close to Katrina Kaif, they are trying to build an image of hers like Rakhi Sawant’s."
This didn't go well with Rakhi and now, in an exclusive conversation with us, the actress has not only lashed out against her father, but also recalled her struggling days and spoke about her Swayamvar show.
You have said that the show Swayamvar is rigged...
Haa mera Swayamvar toh rigged hi tha na. It was a reality show.
But aren’t reality shows supposed to be real?
Reality show real nahin hota. Koi bhi shaadi nahi karta. I didn’t get married on the show. Also, where are the good guys to marry on Television? I especially didn’t find a suitable man.
But you got married and then you separated right?
I was not married. We had just done an engagement. Also, these shows are only to show to the world. In reality, it's different. If you like, you get married, if you don't like, you don't get married. It’s totally your choice. The channel won't force you for marriage.
So are you trying to say that Shehnaaz did a mistake by going for Swayamvar?
No, if you want to earn money then you do that show. When I did it, I had nobody to support me financially. I was offered good money. I had broken up with Abhishek back then, so I didn't have a house to stay. My father had expired. I had the responsibility of my mother and my brother. What could I have done? Kuch galat kaam karne se achcha, maine Swayamvar kar liya. From the money I got, I bought a flat for myself in Mumbai.
Agreed, so do you think Shehnaaz is also headed in this direction?
I don't really know about her. Because her father had said that the channel is paying her Rs 10 lakh. However, I had got a lot of money, nearly 1.5-2 crores for the show.
So you're saying that Shehnaaz has only been paid Rs 10 lakh for the show...
Her father has commented that right. I don't think any Swayamvar can fetch the TRPs that my Swayamvar did back then. In those days, even social media wasn't as much. Let me tell you, whichever show I have done so far, I have fought, done comedy and lots of other things only because I wanted money. Mujhe kuch banna tha life mein. I wanted a house for myself in Mumbai and wanted to do something for my family.
The image that you have created for yourself is basically your profession...
Maine jo apni gandi image banayi hai, comedy ki hai, that's only to support myself and my family. Warna main akeli ladki kya karti?
So, you’re saying that the perception that people have of you is wrong…
See, I have also helped several cancer survivors, heart patients, gotten almost 300 widows married again. But these things aren’t written about me.
When I had entered the industry, I was a good dancer and not a good actor. So I quickly caught on to the position of an item girl. I didn't do anything wrong.
These days even actresses have started doing item songs...
Yes, I know. But I know that when I die, I'll go to heaven because I have not used the money only for my selfish means. I have helped the children suffering from cancer, and even supported my family.
Go on…
This is the reason that I have hidden my husband's identity from the world because he is a big businessman. He wants to stay away from negativity.
Image Source:- republicword/Instagram/rakhisawant_official/shehnaazgill