You can map out your life in multiple ways, but your destiny will always surprise you with a different plan. That’s exactly what happened with actor Mandira Bedi. Did you know she never intended to pursue acting as her career? In a recent conversation with Think Right, hosted by Rajan Navani and featuring BK Sister Shivani, Mandira Bedi spoke about the twists and turns her life has taken. Here’s what she revealed about her initial career goals, spirituality, career struggles, motherhood, and more.

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From standing behind the camera to being in front of it

On being asked about the moment in Mandira’s life that changed everything for her, she said, “I was never meant to be in the entertainment world, and that’s when Shanti happened to me. I was going to be in the corporate world.” As a media student, Mandira Bedi was headed towards “advertising or directing behind the camera.” But life had other plans for her. Shanti (1994), an Indian daily soap opera, kickstarted her acting journey. She then made her Bollywood debut in a supporting role in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) as Preeti Singh. While acting shaped her career, being a cricket presenter elevated her confidence and redefined her thinking.

Breaking barriers in sports television

While sharing her experience with cricket broadcasting, Mandira Bedi recalled, “Because I was the first woman to be on a panel like this, a lot of the gentlemen in the ‘gentlemen’s game’ were not happy that I was around.” They undermined her stance as a cricket presenter, questioning her cricket knowledge. “A lot of people, the understanding is, presenting or doing anything related to cricket, you have to have played,” said Mandira. She struggled with her job as the male panel members would subtly dodge her questions, which made her feel insulted on a live show. “It’s like I don’t even exist… This is a boys’ club, and I’m not welcomed here,” she said.

However, at the end of one week, the channel authorities intervened to address the issue. They motivated her by saying, “You are a presenter, and no question is off the table. Ask whatever you want because you are representing the non-cricket purists.” And so, she decided to have fun and be unapologetic at the panel. Even when people tried to ignore her, she would say, “Okay, but you didn’t answer my question. And because it was live, they had to answer my question.” The rest, as they say, is history.

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