Monica Bedi is still a hit

A poll amongst Bollywood filmmakers shows that they would cast former jailbird Monica Bedi if she suited a role in their movies.

American celebrity Paris Hilton’s jail term became a widely read Prison Diary and her release after serving 23 days in jail created a frenzy as to what she would do next. Well, the jailbird turned songbird soon after and has a flourishing future ahead in fashion by just uttering her trademark “That’s hot!”

Closer home, former Bollywood starlet Monica Bedi wasn’t met with any such offers after being acquitted by a Bhopal court in a fake passport case.

Though she did announce that she would love to return to films and start acting all over again, never mind her infamous status as Abu Salem’s moll.

Apparently, Monica kept herself occupied by teaching other women prisoners yoga, dancing and English for the ten months she spent in jail.

We asked Bollywood whether her infamy would do her fledgling Bollywood career any good and would they cast her in their films...

Meghna Gulzar – An actor should be given a role depending on his/her acting prowess and not on the basis of whether they went to prison or came out of it.

Anil Sharma – I cast an actor according to the suitability of the character. Monica will get work regardless of her infamy or fame. We will look at her from the perspective of an artiste and talent. One should get a second chance.

Vikram Bhatt – You shouldn’t cast someone because they have created a media furore of any kind. If Monica or Paris suit a character, casting them is fine. I would cast Monica only if I had something she could do.

Vipul Shah – Casting depends on the merit of the role and that is decided by the script. When people have sympathy for actors like Salman Khan, who genuinely enjoys the love of the audience and they know the good side of him, does the actor gain from all the trouble he gets in. It doesn’t work for everybody though.

Sanjay Gupta – Paris is in America and Monica’s in India. Strictly no comments.