Face Off With Begum Nawazish Ali

Ali Saleem best known by his alter-ego Begum Nawazish Ali, is a Pakistani television host, actor, scriptwriter and impressionist. Biologically born a male, but asked about his sexuality, Ali would sometimes call himself gay, bisexual or at other times even a transsexual.

Begum's show

Ali hosts Late Night with Begum Nawazish Ali where he cross-dresses as a woman wearing a sari and asks influential guests provocative questions in his show.

The show has invited the likes of business tycoons, industrialists, actors and actresses, government and religious leaders. The show was banned in Pakistan but reformatted as Begum, which aired 26 episodes with Indian celebrities on the channel 9X from India.

Begum on Bigg Boss

Begum was 'voted out' of Bigg Boss, and here's what she had to say about the experience, the participants and Big Boss's house.

On Shiv Sena's political campaign against her

'I saw no logic behind this kind of a protest. Both Veena Malik and I were inside the House not as representatives of any country but as players in a game show. I didn't choose to be born in Pakistan. It's something that just happened to me.'

On Veena Mallik

'As a person I like Veena a lot. She's frank and she said what she had to in front of you. Not like some other Bigg Boss housemates who bitched behind your back. She isn't two-faced.'

Begum’s favorites in the House

'Shweta Tiwari. But Veena, Anchal Kumar and I really bonded. We used to converse in Punjabi in the House. I also become very friendly with Rahul Bhatt, a harmless soul. And Seemaji (Parihar). Hrishant Goswami was sweet.'

The house Politicians

'Manoj Tiwari is quite a politician. I really didn't face any unpleasantness from anyone. No complaints. But there was a tussle between Manoj and Samir Soni. Considering they were the senior-most members of the House I found their behavior immature'

Becoming 'Beghum'

'To become 'Beghum' needs elaborate preparation. I need a whole team of people to dress me up. Beghum is very high-maintenance.

Working in India

'I am an entertainer. And India can provide me with lots of work. When I come to India I don't come as a Pakistani. I come here as an actor. If I get work of course I'll return.'