How was your first Tollywood experience?

South Indian films are not new to me. I have done a Tamil movie Mumbai Express with Kamal Haasan and also a Kannada movie. This is my first brush with Tollywood and I am impressed with the professionalism here. People here do what they say and they do not cheat people. Also, this is my second film with Kelly Dorjee and it was a beautiful experience. I am a regular to Hyderabad. The people here are very good and I simply love the food.

What do you think is the USP of your item number?

I am the USP. I dance with a certain energy.

Was it hard to lose weight for the item number in Krazzy 4?

Yes, I lost 6 kgs by practicing yoga. Putting on weight or losing weight is no big deal for me

What about the recent incident where two men were caught trying to film you as you changed clothes for the House of Horror fashion show?

They said ‘Sorry Madam’ and I forgave them. If I had handed them over to the police their lives would be ruined. I am a good soul.

Any future plans on Tollywood ?

Yes, I’d love to do big banner films and I still have to figure out what’s a big banner or small banner in this part of the country.

How did you think of donating computers?
I have earned some money in life. Now, I want to do some charity. So, I gave away four computers to a municipal school- Gyan Sagar Vidyamandir- which is near to my house in Oshiwara.

Also, I made sure that they would be using it for the student fraternity and not for their personal use. I took a letter from the school declaring that. Only then, I called for the computers and went with Lion Governor Raju Mavani to the school to give them away.

Why computers per se? You wanted to donate some computers in jails too but weren’t allowed…
Yeah. Today, I see the whole world working on computers. Not that my job requires to work on computers, but the tragic fact is that I don’t know anything about computers except that I can check my mail.

Main nahin chahti ki koi bhi bache ki mere jaise halat ho. I see that the municipal schools are still devoid of computers and I want to rectify the situation to whatever extent I can. I want computers to reach all municipal schools.

But how did your attention focus on municipal schools?
I have studied in a municipal school and have seen many hardships in life. My father could not support us. I was often thrown out from those schools.

Why didn’t your father support you?
He was in police and not at a senior post then. Plus, he shirked responsibility.

Why were you thrown out from schools?
My mother used to cook up sad tales that I don’t have a father who can pay my fees, and get me admitted. We used to stay in a chawl. Somehow, every time, the schools used to learn the truth and sack me. I changed many schools and somehow completed my tenth standard.

Today, your father is staying with his first wife (Rakhi’s mom is Mr Sawant’s second wife)?
I don’t want to comment on that.

Go on…
I miss my father. When I am alone, I often cry. You have not seen that side of Rakhi Sawant and neither you will. I will bravely fight all the odds in my life.

How are your relations with your mother now?
Just because I want to stay separately, does not mean that I don’t care for my mother. Today, she is unwell. She has been operated for stones in stomach. I am paying the medical expenses which are billing to approximately Rs 80,000.

Your mom doesn’t like your boyfriend Abhishek, but there’s a buzz that you’ve tied the knot.
Are you crazy? Why should I marry now? It will affect my position in the industry.

That’s probably why you’re hiding it.
I swear on Ganpati baba. I swear on my career. I have not married Abhishek yet. I would definitely like to marry him, but after five years.

Why so long?
I want to go further in my career. Plus, I want Abhishek to settle down in life. How long can I continue earning? A girl has a limited span in this industry, so it’s essential that my man becomes independent and successful.

A film glossy has claimed the marriage happened on May 21?
That publication simply wants to create a sensation.

Sources say he is after your money?
I don’t think so. We truly love each other. However, if he does have bad intentions, God won’t spare him.

What does he want to do in life?
He wants to be an actor. To begin with, he will be with me in a big dance show. I can’t spill the details, but I can tell you it’s a very big show. Abhishek and I will make an official announcement in this regard in the next 30 days.

To know more about what other surprises Rakhi has up her sleeve, we engaged her into a casual chat and came up with some interesting answers that only Rakhi is capable of. Excerpts from an interview:

We saw you in Shootout At Lokhandwala. It was a very interesting appearance!

{Laughs} Yes. The makers suddenly called up and I just did it. It didn’t take much time, so I was there. I did it mainly because Amitabh Bachchan was in the movie. I love him.

Did you meet Amitabh Bachchan then?

No. The day I meet him I will be the happiest person. I will tell the media myself. You won’t have to ask. I am so unlucky. I got a chance to work with him in a Bhojpuri film directed by Deepak Sawant. But I had to walk out as the producer of the movie didn’t behave well with me. He wanted me to act in another movie which I didn’t like.

Tell us about the films you are doing.

I am doing Buddha Mar Gaya. You should go to Rahulji’s (Rahul Rawail) office and see the photographs of Buddha Mar Gaya. He has kept huge cutouts of my photographs and there are crowds outside his office to see them. I am doing another film called Kudi Patakha, which is being directed by Shashi Ranjan. Rajpal Yadav is also in the film. Then there’s a big show coming up on Zee soon. This show will be something like Koffee With Karan. There’s one more TV show coming up but I can’t reveal anything about that now.

You appeared in Koffee With Karan. You have so many films coming up. Do you think your career is shaping well?

Yes. And the credit goes first to Bigg Boss, then to Shobha De and Karan Johar.

Shobha De?

Yes. She’s the only one who writes good things about me. She understands me and writes the truth about me. She has been so good to me. There was this incident when I had a stage show. Shobha De was sitting in the first row with another actress who I don’t want to name. This actress was criticising me and Shobha De wrote in her next column that had that actress known how to dance like me she would have not criticized me. That was nice of her.

I have always tried to be good. But when I try the media comes out saying bad things. Like when I protested against the garbage outside our building, a Mumbai tabloid named me Kachra Queen (Garbage queen). This wasn’t nice. Shabhani Azmi also fights for such causes but she’s never given such names.

Has there been any improvement in garbage situation?

We need a good street. We need a clean place and we have been fighting for that. But no action has been taken yet. We met the commissioner again and he has promised to pay Oshiwara a visit. People won’t see the good things I am doing. They are just interested in giving me negative publicity.

Are you coming in any new item numbers?

No. But I want to do item numbers. Please write about this. I am waiting for good item numbers. I want to do something like Kajrare and Beedi. I don’t want to do C-grade stuff. I have a sexy body. I don’t want to waste it on such things.

What do you feel about kissing scenes? Are you open to doing them?

I’d rather die than kiss. The society learns from films. What do we want to teach them with this? Old movies never had such scenes. But they still conveyed the message. They would show the couple’s lips and then flowers and then the heroine wiping her lips. And people would understand that they kissed. But now we show so much of all this. There was this show in UP recently where the couple was kissing openly. They have obviously been learning from movies. But showing a bit of cleavage and wearing short clothes is okay because it’s fashion.

Sameera Reddy recently said that the casting couch exists. Do you agree?

It exists everywhere. Why should we just crib about the film industry? Even sadhus try to lure women.

We want to know about the film industry?

Yes, it does exist. It has been there for many years. It’s only now that people are coming out in the open to admit it. And I started the trend as I always say things openly. Every heroine has faced it. I have too.

What about crazy fans? Have you come across any?

There are many. Recently, there was a show in Nepal and there was this Nepali girl who cut her wrists because she wanted to kiss me! Then there was a boy who came on the stage. I don’t know how he managed to avoid the security, but he kissed me on my cheek. I don’t know why people want to kiss me. There is also this lady from Ahmedabad who keeps calling me because her son wants to meet me. He doesn’t eat and keeps thinking of me all the time.

You are just back from a tour. Where did you go and how was the response?

I went to many places like Delhi, Agra and others and the response was very good.

Recently you got into a controversy about posing before a Gautam Buddha image?

I am not afraid of anyone. It’s the people who created a ruckus that should be ashamed. Instead of creating so much trouble about silly issues they better do something for the country. Why are they after my life? I love Buddha. He is my jaan. I have 15 statues of Buddha in my house. I believe he keeps my home cool. I also have 10 statues of Ganesha. I pray regularly.

We heard rumours that you are getting married to Abhishek. Are they true?

All that is gossip. I am not interested in marriage now. I don’t know why they publish such things without even asking me. I want to do a lot of things now. I don’t want to get married, depressed and then get a divorce. Marriage is lot of responsibility and I am not ready for kids now. Also Abhishek is yet to become something. He has to start earning well. He is trying but we aren’t getting married till he is settled.

When you do get married, how big will it be and where will it be?

I don’t know. It will probably be a court marriage. We don’t have lots of money. I am not Aishwarya Rai and my Abhishek is not Abhishek Bachchan. About the venue, I know Abhishek wants it to be in Kanpur but I am not sure.

Will you continue working after marriage?

Only death can keep me from work. I might start shooting the day after my marriage. I can’t stay away from work. I will also have to continue working for money. Besides we won’t go for honeymoon because after all those tours abroad, I am bored of going abroad.

Which is your dream role?

I have many dream roles but I don’t think I will be able to do them. Because for that I will have to compromise. In fact, these are the reasons why I am tired of life. I will have to drink alcohol, talk to people and only then will I get work. I can’t do all that.

If I sleep with someone for a role then what’s the point? Watch my films and if you like them, write about them. Only you people can make a difference. See my Buddha Mar Gaya. That’s an honest effort from my side. It’s about a young girl who compromises and sleeps with all the old guys to get a break. But the problem is that whoever she sleeps with dies, leaving her with no work.

Do you plan to direct a movie someday?

No. But I will make a video someday. I will take in lots of youngsters in it.

What’s your take on Marriage?
I personally feel that industry girls should not marry for it leads to a large no of complications later.

So you will not get married to Abhishek?
Not so soon, I have just begun to find my feet in Bollywood, so can not even think of marriage. Besides, as we are having a very good relationship, so why unnecessary add the tag of a marriage.

So what about live in?
We might consider a live-in, as through this arrangement, you come to know what the other person’s true nature is. If you live separately, you tend to be on your best foot during the courtship period, but after being together, your dirty cloth is washed in public.

Nowadays, marriages are floundering, left, right and center!
Yes that is one more reason why we don’t want to rush into marriage. Many recent break up, including fellow item girl, Shefali Zariwala’s supposed marriage troubles makes me wonder as to where the love goes, post marriage.

What could be the reason that today many marriages are breaking up?
I thinking couples are jumping into matrimony too fast, without really understanding the other person. My advice to any couples who are thinking of marriage is to first accept your partner’s bad points, rater then his/her good points.

What type of wife would you want to be?
I will be a complete Indian wife, who will not work outside but do ‘ghar ka kaam’ as well and not leave the house hold chores to the husband or the bai.

Hottest hunk in Bollywood?
That would have to be shirtless Salman Khan! Man, he looks really hot and dashing!

One night stand or commitment?
I am an Indian and obviously will choose commitment. By the way, that’s a rude question to ask any desi woman.

If your guy told you to stop wearing provocative clothes?
I will dump him rather than change my life style. It’s my life yaar, who is he to tell me what to wear and what not to. We live in modern times where both the partners have got the freedom to do their own things.

Metrosexual man for you?
Yes, I dig metrosexual men for why should only woman look good and spend hours in the salon. It works both ways, even the woman has the right to expect her husband to look after his appearance.

Gone are the days when men could look slobbish and his wife will still stand by him. Today, she will leave him for somebody else.

Ideal romantic vacation?
I would love to go with him to the beautiful ice capped Swiss Alps or to the sexy beaches of Goa.

Would you want your guy to buy you lingerie?
No, I prefer to buy my own lingerie, on a more funny note, I would want him to get for me boxer shorts, so can easily beat him up when he acts funny.

Would you want your guy to fight for you?
Yes why not! I would expect my guy not to be a wimp and just beat those people to pulp, who dare to mess around with his girl.

Can men be trusted?
Not all men are bad, but even if they were, we still have to make do with them.

Any message to you male fans?
Just be there for me the way you always have. I am what I am, because of you guy’s love and support.

Are you happy with the title Rakhee Ke Bouncer?
It’s cool and glamorous.

Do you have to prepare for the show?
No, why should I? I have enough knowledge about cricket. I have been following the game since my childhood. Moreover, in the show, I am shown to be someone who is completely ignorant about the game. It’s a comedy show and all my comments will be original.

So, who is your favourite cricketer and which team do you like?
Australians play very well, but obviously I cannot say that theirs is my favourite team because I am an Indian and my loyalties are with my country. As for cricketers I like Dada (Saurav Ganguly), Sachin Tendulkar and Dhoni. My only grouse against them is that they are spending too much time on doing commercials. Whatever position they have reached today is because they are playing for the country. Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are actors and it doesn’t matter how many products they endorse. But cricketers are brand ambassadors of the country and they have to devote more time on practise rather than to commercials!

You seem to be doing a lot of comedy-based shows on TV.
Yes, I love comedy. It’s very difficult to make people laugh and you know, jo hasega woh phasega. People instantly connect to humour and that gives me a high.

Are you enjoying being the co-judge of Comedy Ka Badshah, Hasega India with Raju Shrivastava?
It is fun but I don’t like Raju touching me all the time. I have told him many times but to no avail. I am tolerating it because if I react negatively there will be a controversy which I want to avoid.

Many times the stand-up comedians try to make you the butt of their jokes…
Yes and I hate it. Thodi masti theek hai but it gets irritating after a point. Even the jokes are not upto the mark. I tell them outright that their jokes are tasteless, but my comments are edited out. I liked VIP who used to genuinely raise laughter and Jai, a boy from Ahmedabad. I think Sunil Pal is amazing and so is Ehsan Qureshi.

From an ‘item girl you have graduated to being the hottest property on the small-screen…
Yes. All I can say is that the sun has risen for me and I am basking in its glory. I want to cash in on the rage on every medium from TV and films to stage shows. I am getting a lot of offers from Sony and other channels. I am also doing many films as a lead. There’s Rahul Rawail’s Buddha Mar Gaya, Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout At Lokhandwala and I have even been offered a Salman Khan film that I have yet to finalise.

Isn’t Shootout… a multi-starrer with Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty amongst others?
Yes, there are many stars but I have an important role.

What do you think was the turning point in your career?
I think Bigg Boss on Sony turned the tide for me. I consider the people behind Bigg Boss as my Godfather. I was written about everywhere and flashed on all channels. The show got me a lot of publicity and people started writing to me. If I get another chance to be a part of the show I will definitely go with my boyfriend Abhishek.

A lot of unsavoury things were also written about you, and your fellow inmates were not very friendly.
The only person who was close to me was Ravi Kissen, who still keeps in touch with me. Even Baba Sehgal was friendly. The rest of them were shrewd and manipulative. They were playing politics. They felt that they could gain viewers’ votes by crying. Everyone was pretentious. I was the only person who showed my real self. I am a bold and bindaas girl by nature and that is what came across.

And yet you want to go into the house again?
It has a lot of benefits.

And now you have turned a singer with Supergirl.
(Cuts in) I am the first supergirl of India whose mission is to save the country from terrorists and bomb blasts. While Krrish, Spiderman and Batman will be busy deciding who amongst them will reach a disaster site first, Supergirl would have already done the deed!

How do you feel being the only girl amongst Superguys?
All of them tease me a lot but I am very strong.

So, how is Rakhi as a singer?
I have no knowledge of sur or taal. But Chamapakji (Venus) forced me to sing and here I am crooning ‘Yaara na dil laga, phas hi jayega…’. The song has an universal appeal and I must say it has shaped out well.

How has the industry treated you so far?
When I came into the industry, nobody used to take me seriously. Sab faltu baatein karte the, but now nobody dares to do that.

Would you like to comment on Mika Singh making a video on the controversial kiss?
I think it is a very cheap stunt by a cheap man. I don’t want to comment anymore on that.

Recently you distributed computers to the students of BMC…
Yes and very soon I am going to adopt two children through Lions’ Club and sponsor their education. A couple of days ago I was in Pune where I visisted Hridaymitra Prathisthan where we donated Rs 21 lakhs. I personally gave Rs 51,000 for those are suffering with a hole in their hearts. As soon as I wrote out the cheque, many people came forward with their contribution starting from Rs 2000 -5000. As a citizen, I want to do a lot for children and old people.

What about your mother who has shifted to your brother’s house?
I have done everything for my mother and now I want to do something for the under-privileged.

Are you interested in politics?
No. I can do a lot for the people without getting into politics. Ministers can only give speeches. In fact, I am getting threatening calls from some people for helping the needy. They tell me “You are not a MLA, so why are you doing it?” However, one of my greatest ambitions is to meet George Bush.

The naughtiest thing you’ve ever done?
i disguised myself as joker and danced in front of a cow on the Big Boss show.

What are the four essential ingredients of love?
For me there are two most essential ingredients of love – trust and being honest with each other. The rest automatically falls in place.

Where is the best place to be?
i was at peace at the Big Boss’s house. i was away from problems and controversies.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve put in your mouth?
Kaccha aloevera juice in my mouth. Apparently, the raw alovera juice is good for skin and hair.

What are the three things that attract you to a man?
He should respect me, his honesty, his approach towards a girl’s past.

What are the three things that men love about you?
(Laughs) My body, my dance, my honesty. .

What’s the nastiest thing you’ve heard about yourself?
Someone said, “Rakhi nautanki karti hai.” Rubbish! i don’t do drama.

When did you feel utterly insignificant?
When i was voted out of Big Boss for no fault of mine. .

if you could change one thing about yourself what would that be?
i don’t think i need to change anything about myself. i am happy the way i am.

Your biggest regret in life?
After being voted out of Big Boss i’ve realised that i’ll have to sit at home idle for about a month. i said no to other big shows and concerts that could have fetched me loads of money only because i was in Big Boss.

What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage is for keeps. i wish to have only one man in my life.

Your one quality that surprises people?
My confidence.

What’s the cutest thing about you?
i look cuddly and chubby even after loosing weight.

One necessity in life?
Work.

What keeps you sailing in a crisis?
My faith in Lord Jesus and Lord Ganesha.

What are you most terrified of being remembered for?
Nothing. i’m proud of the way i’ve lived my life.

What don’t you leave home without?
i never leave home without offering prayers to Lord Ganesha.

if you were granted three wishes what would they be?
A non controversial life, to be back in Big Boss and happiness always.

Are you scared of commitments?
No.

Are you a good liar?
No.

The first thing you’ll do if you are given a chance to go back to Big Boss?
i will immediately rush to the beauty parlour.

You have landed in a controversy once again! What’s wrong with the dress in your latest album that All India Government Nurses Federation has raised objection with Information Ministry and Censor Board?

There is nothing wrong with my dress at all. I am decently dressed for songs and albums like the one I have done. Unka deemag kharab ho gaya hai (They have gone crazy). It’s not my problem. They should know that I can’t do item songs in saris. I have said several times that I am an item girl and I dress according to the song and dance I perform.

But why have you worn a nurse’s dress and that too a skimpy one?

It’s complete rubbish. It’s just a song in which I have been portrayed as a nurse and that too just for a little while. Hundreds of songs are there in which I can show you skirts smaller than what I have worn. Even in old hits you can see actresses like Helen and others wearing dresses more provocative than what I am wearing today.

Whatever you wear becomes controversial. What’s the reason?

It’s all unnecessary controversy. I am hot and sexy. Whatever I wear I look hot. Even if I wear a sari, people will still have a problem because I look hot in sari too. If I have worn a nurse’s dress and I am looking sexy, I think I have done the right kind of role. Let people feel jealous about it. I don’t care at all. Very soon they will realize what Rakhi Sawant is.

What if your videos get banned?

I don’t force people to buy my videos. They like me and that’s why they buy. I don’t care. I will be more popular than ever