‘I had reached Modi, but not Ekta Kapoor’

The original drama queen, Rakhi Sawant, is back on TV. This time she will be part of the upcoming reality show Box Cricket League as she represents the Rowdy Bangalore team.

One remembers Rakhi’s antics on shows like Bigg Boss and Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, and we wonder how she will cope with a cricket show after shows like these. The actress says, “It’s the first time that girls are getting to play cricket at such a big level. Jwala Sir, coach for Rowdy Bangalore, taught me how to hold a bat, how to bowl etc. I realised I’m a good bowler. I have practised for five hours at a stretch, now I’m confident that M.S. Dhoni can recommend me for the Indian team. Who can make cricket more entertaining for Dhoni and the boys than Rakhi Sawant? I can guarantee people will forget IPL after watching BCL.”

Talking about how she came on board for the project, Rakhi says, “Ajaz Khan (of Bigg Boss fame) from the Bangalore team is my close friend. Saket who is Ekta Kapoor’s right hand too recommended my name to Ekta for the show. When it comes to Ekta Kapoor, main ek tang pe khadi ho jaati hoon. Maine SRK, Salman Khan ke saath kaam kiya, but aaj tak Ekta Kappor ke saath kaam nahi kiya.

Main Narendra Modi Ji tak pahunch gayi but Ekta tak nahi pahunch payi and I felt this was the best opportunity to impress Ekta.”With Rakhi around, controversies can’t be far. And though BCL has just started, Rakhi has already got embroiled in a controversy. She accused some team members of being jealous of her and Ekta had to step in to sort out the issue.

Rakhi says, “Rowdy Bangalore mein jhagre, lafre hote hai. At first some team members who felt I would overshadow them did not give me a chance to bowl or bat. Bahut jalte the mujhse. Sabse badi to hamari captain (Sara Khan) hi thi. They were adamant that they would not give me a chance to play and get my morale down. Ekta personally stepped in and asked them to let me play. Main itni khush ho gayi ki umpire ki chummi le li. The umpire was being partial to another team, so I kissed him till he gave fair decisions.”

Rakhi reveals that the reality show is just the beginning and she would like to team up with Ekta for daily soaps too. “I hope Ekta will cast me in a role like the iconic TV character Rajani’s role. Otherwise I wouldn’t mind playing a negative bahu. Other shows that can be made with me are remakes of international shows like Baywatch or Friends. I shall suggest this to Ekta as well.”

Rakhi who had also got into politics, excitedly informs us about her recent meeting with PM Narendra Modi. “Modi Ji told me that if I face any problem, I should directly call him on his personal number. Koi mujhe pehchane ya na pehchane, Modi Ji mujhe mere naam se pehchante hai — Rakhi Sawant. Main desh ki beti hoon. I am campaigning for the BJP but I have not got a seat or minister’s post so I have to continue working to run my house. I will continue working in films and on TV till I get a permanent position in politics.”