Not wearing burqa by choice, hardships in showbiz, covering up ex-boyfriend's tattoo; When Urfi Javed opened up about her personal and professional struggles

Urfi Javed may not have made as much noise inside Bigg Boss OTT as much as she has made outside it. The actress often gets trolled online for her sartorial choices but she wears the criticism on her sleeves with pride. While people may be busy slamming her, Urfi has on a number of occasions opened up about her personal and professional struggles which have made her who she is today. Take a look. (Photo: Instagram)

After her recent photoshoot on Friday (Feb 18), Urfi Javed, while speaking to paps, talked about the ongoing Hijab row. The actress made her opinion implicitly clear by saying, "It's a woman's right to wear whatever she wants. In fact, itne saalon ki ladai isliye nahi thi ki hum hijab na pehne, itne saalon ki ladyi isliye thi so that women can wear whatever they want. Even if they wear hijab in school, what's the big deal about it? If you can wear whatever the f**k you want in a parliament or wherever, so what's the big deal?" (Photo: Instagram)

Post the photoshoot, Urfi was seen in a cherry blossom body paint under her shirtless white blazer and pants. Talking about it, she said it was her idea. She also shared how she was against tattoos and body paint was a much better idea. She revealed, "I had got my ex-boyfriend's name tattooed but I got it covered. I learnt my lesson. So that is why body painting." (Photo: Instagram)

She revealed that she was offered Lock Upp which features Kangana Ranaut as the host. But she did not take it up as she is scared of Kangana and not mentally ready to be part of it. She said, "I am not going to Lock Upp. I am not fit for a show like that. Kangana ko dekh ke hi meri ph*t jaati hai. Shayad mein ja bhi nahi paon. I did get a call but things couldn't move forward. I don't think I am mentally fit for it." (Photo: Instagram)

Urfi has been mistaken by many to be Javed Akhtar's granddaughter because of her name. But time and again, Urfi has clarified that she is not related to him. Last month, she made headlines again for wearing a tee-shirt which read 'Not Javed Akhtar's granddaughter' at the airport. Javed Akhtar's wife and veteran actress Shabana Azmi had shared in a post on Twitter that Urfi was not related to them.

In an exclusive interview to ETimes TV, Urfi had shared she comes from a conservative Muslim family and how that made her quite a rebel. She said, "I was from a conservative Muslim family where they only think about getting their daughters married. I was not supposed to talk in front of males and had to wear only full clothes, totally covered from head to toe. All this made me a rebel. I was suppressed a lot and not allowed anything except for education. When I was a kid I didn't know what childhood or freedom was. I badly wanted to feel and taste freedom. Even right now if I have to choose between money and freedom, I would choose freedom. (Photo: Instagram)

In the interview given to ETimes, Urfi shared she doesn't wear burqa out of choice as she doesn't understand it. But she added that she doesn't mind if someone wants to do it willingly. Talking about Islam and other religions being regressive, she said, "To be very honest, I don’t believe in Islam I feel a lot of things in Islam are a bit regressive but so are they in other religions as well. People are not ready to change. I don’t like the fact that Islam allows four weddings. Triple talaq was banned and I think it was for the best." (Photo: Instagram)

Speaking to ETimes TV, Urfi also spoke about her struggles in the film industry. She shared how she'd walk long distances, take public transport and put up in a PG accommodation with six more girls when she came to Mumbai. She was also replaced overnight in TV shows and rejected several times. Once a producer even forced her to do a lesbian scene. She shared, "The producer forcefully removed my clothes. I begged her not to do it. She kept shouting at the other girl arre iske kapde nikal. I was just in my br*. The next day I did not go to the shoot. I just switched off my phone. They sent me a notice of Rs. 40 lakhs. I was on the verge of suicide because I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I didn’t have that much money. I did not understand the legal term. That phase was horrible." (Photo: Instagram)

She shared, "I even tried to commit suicide by jumping in front of a running vehicle but my friends saved me. They literally dragged me out of it. They tried to destroy my career by circulating messages on casting groups that I am unprofessional. I had no work for an entire year because of it. I was broke. Even when I came out of it, people blamed me for all that. I decided to not let go so easily and I filed an FIR against them. Then they realised their mistake and I decided to drop the case as the Producer begged she has kids and family. I was happy I was out of it and I did not have to pay the money. I don’t know how I am alive today." (Photo: Instagram)

Urfi has often been spotted at the airport and even otherwise in clothes that are trimmed or made differently. She recently wore a black lacy bodysuit over her jeans. There was another one where her bra was visible under her cropped denim jacket. All her eclectic outfits have often been mocked by netizens. A user recently even questioned who her tailor was. (Photo: Instagram)

Whatever she wears or does, Urfi is least affected by trolls. "After Bigg Boss OTT, a lot of people started noticing me but they know me for my fashion choices and they write to me that I've a weird fashion sense and they are busy trolling me. They have got a reason to troll me and I am keeping them busy. These trolls don't affect me, they don't bother me at all." (Photo: Instagram)