5 times Mandira Bedi proved she’s not afraid of change

Her transition from silver screen to cricket pitch may not have been the most obvious choice, but Mandira Bedi did it with her customary élan and has gone on to achieve even more as entrepreneur and mother. Best known for breaking new ground with her gritty role in the popular TV show Shanti - Ek Aurat Ki Kahani, Mandira Bedi has always believed in reinventing herself and evolving with the times. Here are five instances when the 45-year old proved that it’s all about excelling in what you do, at every step of the way.

Mandira became a household name during the 90s, as the female lead in one of the first daily soaps on Indian TV - Doordarshan’s Shanti - Ek Aurat Ki Kahani. She was working in an advertising firm (she initially wanted to become a director/copywriter), when Adi Pocha, the director-writer of Shanti asked her to audition for the role. There has been no turning back since then.

After TV, Mandira kickstarted her Bollywood career playing the demure Preeti, in the blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). Post that, she worked in a number of movies like Badal, Shaadi Ka Ladoo, and more recently, Adangathey and Vodka Diaries. She is currently shooting for Sahoo, starring Prabhas of Baahubali fame, where she plays the role of a villain - something she has always wanted to do.

Her love for cricket took her straight to hosting the ICC World Cups in 2003 and 2007, proving to people that women could host cricket matches too, and look great while doing it! She was suddenly the ‘cricket woman’, with her noodle strap blouses and colourful sarees sweeping the cricketing world off its feet. She also hosted the Champions Trophy a couple of times, and happens to be the first female anchor for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bedi’s love affair with the six-yard wonder went to another level, when she turned designer and started her own line of sarees in 2013 - Mandira Bedi Designs. Her collections are an extension of who she is, and are known for being colourful and detailed, with something for everyone from a teenager to a grandmother.

There’s a reason she looks like a million bucks. The fitness bug bit Bedi in 2008, when she participated in Khatron Ke Khiladi. She wanted to become stronger. In fact, she shed 22kgs of post-pregnancy weight, all in a matter of six months! Since then, Mandira has taken up fitness seriously, with her five-day workout routine and a clean, no-carbs at night diet. It’s her mantra for a happy life.

So come and witness what Mandira Bedi has been up to, as she talks about her journey from the sets of Shanti to being one of the most celebrated fitness icons, only at the Signature Start-Up Masterclass series in Chandigarh on Saturday, December 02, 2017.

The Signature Start-Up Masterclass series celebrates those who found their passion and dared to pursue it. It is a unique opportunity for people to hear their icons share the story of how they managed to successfully convert their passion into paychecks.

Held across 14 cities with an impressive line-up of speakers and hosted by actor Neil Bhoopalam, the series follows role models who became successful doing what they love. The Masterclass sessions are followed by a musical/stand-up comedy performance by the celebrities themselves or a local artiste.

Tickets for the Signature Start-Up Masterclass with Mandira Bedi are available at BookMyShow and signaturestartup.in