Pooja Bedi returns as Princess in Shakti

HYDERABAD: Actress Pooja Bedi is upbeat about her comeback to Telugu cinema. Nearly two decades after featuring in 'Chittemma Mogudu' alongside Mohan Babu, she will now be seen as an Egyptian princess in Junior NTR-starrer 'Shakti'. With a budget of Rs.45 crore, the film is being touted as the costliest movie in the Telugu film industry. 'I've just finished a Telugu film with Junior NTR. It's called 'Shakti'. It is one of the biggest budget Telugu films, and I play an Egyptian princess with supernatural powers in it,' Pooja said. Without divulging too many details, the 40-year-old said the movie will be 'high on sci-fi and special effects'.

'Shakti' has actress Ileana D'Cruz in the lead, and features other Bollywood actors Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood and Manjari Phadnis. Best remembered for her Marilyn Monroe skirt act in 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander', Pooja has been missing from the big screen for a long time. She is more active on small screen and participated in reality shows and even got to host her own chat show ' 'Just Pooja'. She participated in dance reality shows 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1' and 'Nach Baliye 3'. She tried daredevil in the first season of 'Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi'. Recently she featured in Sony TV's 'Maa Exchange', a twisted Indian version of internationally popular show 'Wife Swap'. Now she is keen on more reality shows and a comeback with her talk show.

'I am getting more offers for reality shows. Let's see what I decide. But I am very hopeful to return with my own talk show where I can be a relationship counsellor for the general people. I think I can handle it really well,' said Pooja. Pooja, daughter of actor Kabir Bedi and late Odissi dancer Protima Bedi, is a single mother to daughter Aalia, 13 and a son Omar, 10. She divorced her husband Farhan Furniturewalla in 2002, after an eight-year long marriage, and admits it is tough being a single mom.

'My kids were very young when my husband and I divorced. When I went to (comedian) Rajeev Nigam's house as part of 'Maa Exchange', I saw him bond with his son. At that point, I did miss the father-child bonding in my house and for a moment I felt that I need a husband now,' she said. Unfortunately, the feeling of settling down was short-lived for Pooja.

'It has been really tough being a single mother. You have to take care of the children - financially, emotionally, so you have to work hard and also spend time with them. It wasn't easy but I am proud of the way my children have shaped up - mature and well-mannered. Their scores are wonderful, the walls of their rooms are full of medals and certificates and they enjoy all sports. Most of all, they respect me and their elders. So I have no complains!' she said.