Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 5, 2018)

Mandira Bedi became a household name in the ’90s, after playing the protagonist on national television’s first daily soap, Shanti. She followed it up by adding to the glam quotient in Indian cricket. Her stint as an anchor during the World Cup tournaments in 2003 and 2007, earned her the tag, ‘Cricket Girl’. However, more than Mandira’s insight into the game, it was her sartorial choices on the show, especially the noodle-strap blouses, that became a talking point.

Reminiscing those days, she says, “It felt great to be associated with cricket in such a big way. Those days, there was no room for women commentators in any sport. There were some rude comments and they did upset me, initially. However, with time, I realised that people were vocal about their views because they were passionate about the game. Having said that, what most people didn’t realise was that my job was to ask the layman’s questions; I was not an analyst or a commentator. Fortunately, it was a long tournament, so people had enough time to like me (smiles).”

Over the years, Mandira, who made her debut in Bollywood with the blockbuster hit, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), has also moved to the South.

The actress says, “This is probably the best year of my career. Interesting characters are coming my way now, which wasn’t the case after DDLJ (1995). Back then, I was offered similar roles — of sisters, bhabhis and second leads. That was bad stereotyping. I like how I am stereotyped today, I am getting to play strong and badass roles. It could be because of my short hair and appearance. I either get to play a cop or the antagonist. The way people perceive me now, works for me,” she elaborates.

The actress is also talked about for her fitness. Mandira, who has done pushups in sari and heels, says, “The fitness bug bit me in 2008. Today, I feel fitter than I felt in my 30s and 20s. It was an unplanned reinvention of sorts. All I want to say is, it’s never too late to take your health into your hands. I have been self-training for the past seven years. In fact, I keep a pair of running shoes in my car, which comes in handy whenever I am stuck in traffic.”

Mandira was also in news last year for her wish to adopt a girl. She and her husband Raj Kaushal posted a message on social media after they realised that they don’t meet the eligibility criteria to adopt an infant. However, she hasn’t given up yet. She says, “We have completed the paperwork and are now waiting for it to materialise. I feel a girl will complete our family. Also, girls look after their parents when they grow old.”