Mandira Bedi (Punjabi: ਮੰਦਿਰਾ ਬੇਦੀ, Hindi: मन्दिरा बेदी, Urdu: مندِرا بیدی), is an Indian Bollywood actress, model and compere. She shot to fame through television serial Shanti (1995). During 2003 and 2007, she became a television presenter for Cricket World Cups. She is well known for her television presentations with Charu Sharma.
She was born (April 15, 1972) and brought up in Mumbai and is married to an Indian movie director(s) Raj Kaushal on February 14, 1999, and lives in Bandra, Mumbai. She studied at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. Her ancestral Hometown is Fazilka in Punjab, A small township near India-Pakistan border.
She is also very glamorous Television Presenter, widely known in India for her interesting dressing sense. She made her debut in Indian television with the megaserial "Shanti" featuring in the lead role. She played one of the main villains in the popular Indian soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, in which she portrayed Mandira (a character). She was also one of the presenters in the Indian television show, Fame Gurukul which ended on 20 October 2005. Mandira Bedi replaced R. Madhavan as the Anchor of Deal Ya No Deal. She is currently hosting a musical reality show Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star aired by Star Plus
Although she does not provide insights into the game, her presence led to increased TRPs for the show.
She created a stir in Bangladesh over her criticism of the Bangladeshi Cricket Team following their win against India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup group stages.
National Flag
In an episode of the program Extraaa Innings', she wore a saree sporting flags of various nations, taking part in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Indian flag was at the bottom of the saree, near her feet and this led to resentment among Indian viewers.
On grounds of having shown disrespect to the Indian national flag, a complaint was filed against her, through advocate S.K. Premraj. The complaint alleges that the offense is punishable under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 as amended by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2003 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2005. The Indian fashion designer Satya Paul (who is said to have designed the saree), has also been arrayed as an accused in the said case.
Tattoo
She was in the middle of a controversy recently when she was spotted wearing a tatto of Ik Onkar on her back, leading to infuriation of the Sikh community. She has reportedly apologised to the SGPC (The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, a Sikh organization).
She recently posed for the magazine Maxim.
