Raj & I are ready for a baby: Mandira

Mandira Bedi on motherhood, her sari-clad look for the IPL show in the UK, Bollywood and yes, Sania Mirza too!
What is the experience of hosting the Indian Premiere League for the UK been like?
It feels good that I am reaching out to a different and new audience here. The IPL is getting bigger each year and more people from all over the world are getting glued to the concept.The UK show is very similar to the Indian one. I am in a studio with co-host Matt Smith. We have ex-cricketers like Clive Lloyd, Vikram Solanki, Graham Thorpe, Graeme Hick, Alec Stewart and Mark Ramprakash who come in everyday. It is pretty much like any wrap-around cricket programming. I am thoroughly enjoying my stint here as the audiences here have accepted me as a host.
Considering it’s a home-grown tournament, do you think the common man there is excited by the IPL?
IPL has redefined the way we have enjoyed our cricket, Today, it has taken a whole new shape and for the better. It’s a wholesome package. Honestly, is there a better sight than to see Warne or Muralitharan bowling to Sachin!
Considering the different sensibilities of India and UK, did you change your hosting style for the UK audience?
Definitely one has to know and understand the sensibilities of the audience and cater to them. UK, the place where the game was born, is as passionate about cricket as we are and they follow their team with the same gusto as we do. This year the English players are doing well in IPL — Ravi Bopara, Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pieterson have been extraordinary this season and hence the audience is warming up to the concept. Hosting a show in UK about IPL with legends in the studio is something that I am going to cherish for the rest of my life. The UK audience that I am interacting with is very knowledgeable about cricket and we get some amazing feedback. For the Indians in Britain, cricket is a religion.
What about your wardrobe for the current stint?
I don’t know what the fuss is all about. I lost weight to get fit. That’s it. I cut my hair because I need a change. Not a valid subject to become a talking point. Currently for the UK audience I’m giving the Indian touch with saris.
How did you react when you were told that you won’t be hosting the IPL in India?
A couple of weeks prior to the IPL, I asked the channel about their plans and whether they’d be needing me. I was told that this time around, there has been a change of policy. I was told that I wasn’t being replaced by another female anchor. They told me they wanted to try something new and go with an all male team of presenters. And that’s what they are doing! I was brought on board for the IPL last year with no promise of this year. So when I found out I wasn’t on the anchor team, I was disappointed, but not surprised. But then one evening I get a call from London that they were looking to have me on board to front their coverage with one of their ITV sports presenters. I gave them dates accordingly.
Do you miss presenting the IPL to the Indian audience?
I don’t think there is any place in this world that follows cricket the way we Indians do. So it just isn’t the same without the Indian audience. Having said that the next place that follows cricket as passionately is the UK.
What about your Bollywood career?
No, I have not signed up any new films. I have heard a couple of scripts and found them boring. If I get a good script or an interesting character to play I’d gladly take it up. But I do have two plays and they pretty much keep the actor inside me alive.
Considering you are more known for hosting cricket shows, do you feel closer to films or cricket?
Anchoring cricket has been fun and I’m looking forward to it, but acting any day is my love. I still get butterflies in my stomach before taking the stage or before I go in front of the camera. The adrenaline rush and seeing something take shape is such an amazing experience. I got a chance to become an anchor because of my acting experience.
Do we see you settling into motherhood anytime soon?
I guess it’s every woman’s wish to experience motherhood. Both Raj and me are ready and as soon as it happens I will share my happiness with you.
Your thoughts on the Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza controversy.
It’s unfortunate that Sania’s and Shoaib’s marriage has created such furore. Honestly it’s their life, let them be.
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