Veena Malik credits 'liberal Pak people' for her emergence as "hero"

Veena Malik, a Pakistani actress who faced conservative censure for appearing on an Indian reality TV show, has credited the "liberal people" of her country for her emergence as a "hero" after she defended herself on a news channel.

"Credit goes to all the liberal people of Pakistan. I have been receiving messages and phone calls from the fashion industry and other people from all walks of life, telling me that I am their hero. I had to come on television and defend myself because no one else was defending me," the Express Tribune quoted Veena, as saying in an exclusive interview.

When asked about what she achieved by participating in the Indian reality show, she candidly replied: "Before I went to "Bigg Boss," people showed videos of women being publicly beaten up by men to represent the condition of women in Pakistan. I showed the world that Pakistani women are not the ones that get beaten up; I showed that a Pakistani woman wears modern clothes at home and at the same time she can cook and serve others. The culture of Pakistan is not limited to wearing shalwar kameez and this changed the negative perceptions attached to Pakistani women."

If presented with an opportunity, Veena said, she would like to change the "double standards and hypocrisy" in Pakistan.

On being asked if Pakistan had to host "Bigg Boss" and she had to handle its affairs, who she would choose as its contestants, Veena named former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, politicians Sheikh Rashid, Jamsheed Dasti, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shiv Sena[member], actresses Meera, Aishwarya Rai, Nargis, and pop artiste Britney Spears.

Talking about her future plans, she revealed: "I have a lot of offers from India, USA, UK and Australia. I am going to focus of television mainly and would do films only if I get good offers. I am not going to do some typical 'B' or 'C 'class Bollywood films."

In her message to the people of Pakistan, Veena said: "The youth is my hope. We have to open our minds and change things around us. I am sure the youth of my country will support me wherever I go. And wherever I go, I am going to represent the entertainment industry of my country."