Veena Malik in a no-holds barred tete-a-tete with Subhash K Jha.

Veena Malik, what are you all about?
Ha ha. This is me! That's who I am. The one and only. It isn't an act. This is the way I am. You saw me on Bigg Boss… How could I keep up an act for such a long time? The fact that the people in India have liked me so much makes me so happy.

Veena you recently came into the limelight with an outburst of controversies. What have you set out to achieve in your life?
(thinks) I've never planned anything in my life. Log mujhse mohabbat karte hain aur main yehan mohhbat dene ke liye aayee thi. By God's grace people gave me so much love over here. Trust me, I'm honoured. This is my achievement…that people in India gave me love.

Right now I'll go back to Lahore to do a show for a leading news channel. I came here with a message of peace and love. People of both India and Pakistan love each other so much. Only some people are spoiling things between the two nations.

You've a very Indian name?
Yes (laughs) I am glad I am called Veena. People often wonder whether I am Pakistani or Hindustani. When I started my career in Pakistan people thought I was an Indian girl.

Both Pakistan and Hindustan are my homes. Yehan ki mitti aur logon se mujhe mohabbat hai. I love the people of both the nationas equally. Weren't we one nation once? Main hamesha yehan aana chahungi.

You have performed comic roles in Pakistani films? What plans for Bollywood?
Trust me, I wanted to do a lot of mishchievous things on Bigg Boss. But I restrained myself. I never thought of a Bollywood career for myself. There are so many such beautiful actresses here and I am their fan.

It's a matter of great pride for me if anyone things I fit in among the Indian beauties. Pamela Anderson told me I'm a warrior. So I'd like to do an action-comedy role in Bollywood.

What's the status of your relationship with Ashmit Patel?
Main aapko sach bataaon? Ash-mit is very important to me. Believe me, he gave me tremendous emotional support. Woh ek zabardast insaan hain. But let me tell you, all the gossip linking me with Hrishant Goswami and Ashmit is untrue.

Hrishant wasn't even a friend. I admire him for being a goodlooking man. I'm the kind of woman who can never go by without complimenting a goodlooking man. I liked him. But that's it. As for Ash-mit, he's a sweetheart. He's my buddy.

If there was anything more between us I'm bold enough to admit it. But there's nothing beyond friendship between us. Agar hamari zindagi rahi to hum phir milenge.

So who's the special man in your life?
Right now I'm single. I am waiting anxious for that special entry in my life by someone special. Before going into Bigg Boss I had lost faith in love. But I've come out with my faith back in place. So my doors are open. I am single. And waiting.

Back home in Pakistan some radical elements have described your conduct as un-Islamic?
Whether in Pakistan or on Bigg House I never pretended to be anything but what I am. Jo main hoon woh hoon. There's no pretence about me.

I don't believe in wearing a burqa or a hijaab (head covering) and then going on television to do politics pretending to be very Islamic when in fact such people wear western clothes like jeans and shorts when the camera is not looking.

For me the greatest religion is humanity. I respect and love God. Mera Khuda se bahut bada connection hai. Having said that I don't hide my personality in a veil. I do what I am comfortable doing. My message in life is, be what you are.

How do you react to being called irreligious?
Religion mazhab is a very personal thing. It is no else's business. Haan, if I look beautiful to your eyes then please do me the honour of looking at me. But if you feel by looking at me they (the eyes) are being un-Islamic, then please don't take the trouble of looking at me.

Do you fear the wrath of the conservative elements?
When you live your life your own way you are bound to offend people. I've the right to live my life my own way. When tenets are imposed on you and you reject them you're bound to face hardships. I've suffered in the past. I'm ready to suffer now.

But I won't change the way I am. Main apni zindagi apne tareeqe se jeeyongi. I know what 's right and wrong. I know I've to face a lot of anger when I return home. And I also know no one will share my pain and suffering. Main face karungi. Whatever happens I'll take it on.

You are complete dabanng (fearless). Like Salman Khan?
(laughs loudly) Do you really think so?

Do you regret your expose on your former cricketer boyfriend Mohammad Asif?
I don't want to go into too many details. But I will say this. I went out of my way for him. Bahut kuch kiya unke liye. I tried to be exemplary in the relationship. Whatever he did or said about me about our personal relationship, I didn't mind.

But what he did with the emotions of those thousands of cricket lovers, by cheating crores …I couldn't tolerate that. I repeat. I'd have never opened my mouth about what he did to me on a personal level. Lekin jo unhone mulk ke saath kiya and cricket ke mohabbat karne walon ke saath kiya, uske liye main unhe nahin maaf kar sakti.

Even today I stand by my expose. In fact I am happy that I did it. I marvel at my own guts. In spite of being a single girl did I really make such a big revelation?! I am proud of what I did. Maine theek kiya. Mujhe aisa hi karna chahiye ttha.

What are your plans now?
Please believe me, I did't go on Bigg Boss for the money. The prize money is meaningless to me. Allah ka diya hua mere paas bahut kuch hai. I am a woman of plenty. I came to India and Bigg Boss to spread the message of love.

It was being said before me that artistes from across the border had no acceptance or support in India. I've disproved that. Jo unconditional pyar mujhe Hindustan mein mila hai main marte dum tak nahin bhool sakti. I'll always be happy to return to India any time. My visa expires now in a few days. So I've to return to Pakistan. But I'll be back soon.