Nationality no bar for Veena Malik's groom

Even before the call for entries for the fourth season of Swayamvar went on air, the show became a cause of concern for some authorities in Pakistan. Reason: the bride- Veena Malik.

Even before the call for entries for the fourth season of Swayamvar went on air, the show became a cause of concern for some authorities in Pakistan. Reason: the bride. Controversial Pakistani model-actor Veena Malik is the first non-Hindu foreign contestant on the show.

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Her participation in Bigg Boss 4 had also fetched her some criticism back home, due to her chemistry with co-contestant Ashmit Patel. A few weeks ago, the actor broke down on a Pakistani chat show while taking a stand on her professional commitments in India.

Looking back, she says, "I fail to understand why political parties have such a great interest in my life. As long as they were reacting to my work, I accepted everything. But this Swayamvar show is part of my personal life. No one has the right to tell me what I should do and whom I should marry," rues Veena, who is currently in India for a few Bollywood assignments.

She admits that Imagine, the channel airing the show, was in talks with her for six months before she agreed. The promos that have been shot invite entries from all over the world.

However, Veena isn’t concerned about the contender’s nationality or religion. "He should be good looking, wealthy enough to take care of my needs, must have a good sense of humour and should be a romantic," she says.

"It’s cool if he’s a Pakistani, Indian or any other nationality, as long as he doesn’t turn out to be a rotten guy."

Rakhi Sawant and Ratan Rajput, who have featured on the show in the past, haven’t married the men they picked. Does she plan on following suit or will she take the route chalked by Rahul Mahajan, who tied the knot during the show’s second season. "I can’t comment on what the others did. If I find someone right and I’m convinced, I’m having my ‘nikah’ (wedding) six months from now, when the show ends," says Veena, whose parents and friend Ashmit will be part of the groom selection process.