M A I N   N E W S

No threat from underworld, says Monica
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Monica Bedi enjoys her homecoming in her native Chabbewal village on Wednesday night. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

Chabbewal, July 25
Monica Bedi was not expecting a heroine’s welcome tonight. But she got one upon her return to the ancestral village of Chabbewal in Hoshiarpur, which offered a perfect Bollywood setting for the once-in-a-lifetime event in the starlet’s life.

Fluorescent lights were all over the place to celebrate her homecoming, banners bore warm messages — “Jee Aayan Nu” and “Hardik Swagat Hai” — of affection from family and friends, neighbourhood was in a mad frenzy, and the villagers had parked themselves on terrace tops, while Monica inched back home in her Tavera.

Exactly at 11 p.m., Monica alighted from the Tavera, wreathed in smiles. She had left her fetters behind to embrace freedom and it showed - in her looks, her gait and her talk. “I have learnt my lessons in jail and have come out a stronger woman. Sun and shade is part of life, but I have to move on and I will. I am eager to turn a fresh leaf in life, to start a new chapter, here among my own people,” she said, after making herself comfortable in the verandah of her father Prem Kumar Bedi’s house.

Right across this house stood another of her paternal aunt Kanta Devi, who sat beside Monica, warding off “uncomfortable” queries, especially about Abu Salem. But Monica chose to answer some: “I have no links with the underworld anymore and no threat from it either. My association with Abu Salem and my travel to Portugal was a sad chapter in my life, which is now over. I am looking forward to working in Bollywood once more and even in Hollywood, if good offers come,” Monica said, making it clear that she would take all her decisions with her family’s consent from now on.

“Whatever I do will have to be with the family’s approval now. I have some film offers and I will make my decision with the consultation of my father, my uncle and everyone else whose love kept me going. Back in the jail, it was very tough. It’s a strange feeling to be out and free,” said Monica, admitting she was moved by the plight of women prisoners and would try and do something to help them.

Avoiding direct questions about whether she was still in touch with Abu, Monica quickly moved into her aunt’s house, petals all over her person. For her, it was an overwhelming moment but a tough one, as she had not expected so much of media presence in the village. Her father Prem Bedi told TNS, “We are literally in a ‘chakravyuh’. You can hear more from Monica tomorrow when she is a little free and by herself,” he said.