She has just signed a new semi-autobiographical big Broadway-styled Bollywood musical called—hold your breath!—Balti Devi: Queen Of Southall A Musical.
The film is to be directed by the legendary Shammi Kapoor's son Mickey Kapoor who has earlier directed Sambar Salsa and Don't Stop Dreaming (featuring Suniel Shetty), Balti Devi is the story of a poor Southall girl who dances and sings her way to stardom.
Says Mickey, "It's a story almost like Rakhi's own. And she's so perfect for the part. I couldn't think of anyone else. Rakhi gets to sing and dance. She's the male Govinda. And this film showcases her aptitudes."
Rakhi is determined to change her image.
"If I want I can make people weep like Meena Kumari. I live in India, and I do feel uncomfortable with my image sometimes. Whatever I've done so so far is because the public demands it. It's the public that's undressing me.
Heroines send me sms messages asking why I dress up the way I do. What right do they have to question me? Why can't a nice clean film like Swami click? And why can't I be cast in the roles like Smita Patil? Even she did hot scenes. But within the written character.
I'm made to behave and dress a certain way because of who I am. I was pulled up for making love with older men like Anupamji, Omji and Prem Chopraji in Buddha Mar Gaya. If I did the same way scenes with Shah Rukh Khan people would applaud."
Rakhi Sawant loves the media. "Even when they write wrong about me I've no complaints. Like they wrote that I'd bring my own clothes from home for Buddha Mar Gaya. Not true at all. In fact I was really uncomfortable in the red gown where almost my entire breasts were revealed.
I used to quarrel with my director every day about the clothes. Everyone on the sets ogled at my breasts on the sets. I'm shameless otherwise. But sometimes when people ogle I do get uncomfortable. I am a woman, after all."
What Rakhi wants is to be a housewife. But at the same time she confesses, "I don't want to get married. I've
struggled so much to get where I am. What will I do after marriage? I want to establish my boyfriend Abhishek.
I'll make him a star.You watch us in Nach Baliye 3.Although I've big problems with my back and knees I'm doing this show only for Abhishek. People will forget Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. They'll only talk about Rakhi and Abhishek. So far I've danced to other people's tunes.
Now I'll dance to the rhythms that run inside me. Watch me and Abhishek, main sabko rulane wali hoon. I want to become world -famous from India. In fact I got an international offer for which I learnt English. But I'll do every bold from home, not abroad."
Then she signs off. "Watch me in Mickey Kapoor's film and also in Suniel Shetty's production. I want to be known as an all-rounder, a girl who can dance, act and also make mince meat of all the competition in a reality show."
