[en] | Monica Bedi

Monica Bedi (born 18 January 1975) is an Indian actress, television presenter and a former convicted criminal. She debuted in Hindi films in the mid-1990s and her notable work includes Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat and Jodi No.1. She is known for participating in Bigg Boss 2, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 and playing Gumaan Kaur Vyas in Star Plus‘s show Saraswatichandra.

Monica Bedi
Born (1975-01-18) 18 January 1975 (age 49)

Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • television presenter
PartnerAbu Salem (1999–2007)[2]
Criminal chargePassport fraud
Penalty
  • 5 years imprisonment[1]
Imprisoned atChanchalguda Central Jail (2005-2007)

Early life

Bedi is a Punjabi and was born 18 January 1975[3][4] to Prem Kumar Bedi and Shakuntala Bedi in the village Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. Her parents moved to Drammen, Norway in 1979. She completed her education from Delhi University in 1995.[3]

Prison Sentence

In September 2002, Bedi and Abu Salem, an Indian gangster were arrested and later served prison sentences in Portugal[5] for entering the country on forged documents.[6][7] In 2006, an Indian Court convicted Bedi for procuring a passport on a fictitious name.[8][9] In November 2010, the Supreme Court of India upheld her conviction but reduced the prison sentence to the period that she had already served.[10][11] Various newspaper including magazines had reported that Abu used his criminal power to get roles for Monica Bedi in Bollywood.

Career

Bedi got her first role in Telugu language film Taj Mahal (1995), produced by D. Ramanaidu. Ramanaidu also cast her in Sivayya and Speed Dancer.[12] She debuted in Bollywood in 1995 with Surakshaa.

Bedi was a participant in Bigg Boss Season 2, a television reality show.[13] She was one of the contestants of the reality shows Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 and Desi Girl.

She sang the chants “EkOnkar” for a spiritual music album on Universal Music.[14]

Bedi acted in the Punjabi movie Sirphire (2012), directed by Harjit Singh Ricky.

From 2013 to 2014, Bedi played a negative role of Ghumman in Star Plus’ show Saraswatichandra.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
1994Main Tera AashiqHindi
1995Taj MahalTelugu
1995SurakshaaKiranHindi
1995Aashique MastaneHindi
1996KhilonaKajalHindi
1996Soggadi PellamTulasiTelugu
1996SubashAnithaTamil
1997Ek Phool Teen KanteMonica SinhaHindi
1997Jeeyo Shaan SeHindi
1997Tirchhi TopiwaleSanam OberoiHindi
1997Circus SattipanduTelugu
1998Jabab DihiBengali
1998Janto KoborBengaliBangladeshi Movie
1998SivayyaInspector RojaTelugu
1998Choodalani VundiTelugu
1998ZanjeerHindi
1999DronaSwethaKannada
1999YamajathakuduTelugu
1999KalicharanHindi
1999Nannaseya HooveLakshmiKannada
1999Sikander Sadak KaHindi
1999Jaanam Samjha KaroMonicaHindi
1999Kaala SamrajyaMonica K. SinghHindi
1999Speed DancerMonikaTelugu
1999LohpurushHindi
2001Jodi No.1RinkyHindi
2001Pyaar Ishq Aur MohabbatMaya DhillonHindi
2003TadaHindi
2011Devadasiyin KathaiSwathi VarmaTamil
2012ParichayaRekhaNepali
2012Hridoye Lekho NaamBengali
2012SirphireSimranPunjabi
2014Romeo RanjhaReet KaurPunjabi
2017BandookanBalwinderPunjabi

Television

YearTitleRole
2008Bigg Boss 2Contestant
2009Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3
2010Dil Jeetegi Desi Girl 1
2013–14SaraswatichandraGuman Kaur Vyas
2015BandhanNarayani Deshpande

References

  1. ^ Singh, Simran (19 September 2023). “This Oxford graduate actress, who worked with Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, was sentenced to 5 years in jail due to…”. DNA India. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ Bedi, Aneesha (3 July 2015). “I am happy for him, says Abu Salem’s ex-partner Monica Bedi on his impending marriage”. Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b “The tale of Monica Bedi”. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  4. ^ “जेलर पर लगा था इस एक्ट्रेस के बाथरूम में कैमरे लगाने के आरोप, अंडरवर्ल्ड डॉन से भी जुड़ा नाम”. Rajasthan Patrika (in Hindi). 19 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ Kumar, Vinay (29 November 2003). “Abu Salem, Monica Bedi sentenced to jail in Portugal”. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 December 2003. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  6. ^ “Monica Bedi writes pardon letter to PM”. The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 7 November 2004. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  7. ^ “The tale of Monica Bedi”. The Times of India. 10 August 2005. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  8. ^ “Monica Bedi lives tough life in jail”. CNN-IBN. 1 October 2005. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  9. ^ “Top 10 Celebrities and Their Run-ins With the Law”. The New Indian Express. 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  10. ^ “Fake Passport Case: SC Upholds Bedi’s Conviction”. Outlook. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  11. ^ “Supreme Court upholds Monica Bedi’s conviction in fake passport case”. Daily News and Analysis. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  12. ^ “Monica Bedi makes Telugu producers wary”. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  13. ^ IANS (6 September 2008). “Monica Bedi bids adieu to Bigg Boss”. Sify. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  14. ^ “Monica Bedi turns singer!”. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.