Why Kashmira had a bikini bath in Iss Jungle

Kashmira Shah is the latest celebrity to exit Sony Entertainment Television's Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao. The actress was apparently brought in to raise the show's TRPs and did it quite effectively. During her stay, she stirred things up quite considerably by creating friction between the contestants, and cooling off in a bikini bath.

She spoke to Rajul Hegde about her experience in the Malaysian jungles.

Do you think you lived up to the expectations of the channel?

I did more than exceed their expectations. They thought I would take two days to start trouble in the camp but it started on day one itself. People like Aman Verma were trying to sleep their way into the finals. Everyone was portrayed to be this one big happy family and would be sad when two people were in the bottom two. But Akashdeep Saighal and Chetan Hansraj were very happy that Marc Robinson got eliminated because they considered Anaida to be of the weaker sex, and that they would beat her in the finals. No one went on the show to let the other win. 

You went there to create trouble but came out saying that people were fighting a lot.

That is for their sake. If I had not done that, Chetan's real self would not have come out. He threw the mike and said ever since I had gone in, they had begun fighting and before that everything was fine.

You had gone there for a purpose but had to face a tough life. How was your jungle experience?

The next time I have to do something like this, I will tell the makers that I need to be in touch with my family. And I need coffee! They made me stay like a contestant. I can't even wax my legs now because of the insect bites.

The living area was not very clean. Every time something would fall on the bed. We would get half a mug of rice and one mug of soya beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

How comfortable were you with the idea of the whole nation watching you take a bath in a bikini?

It would take four days for the clothes to dry there because it would rain often. My option was to show myself bathing in a bikini or be dirty like Mona Wasu. She rarely had a bath and was called khaaj-khujli. You cannot even put perfume there because the animals might get attracted to the smell. Then I thought how does it matter as I am looking good anyway [laughs]. 

Are you fine being tagged as a troublemaker on television?

If you were as honest as you are portrayed to be, you will not be scared by anyone coming and telling the truth. When I entered, I told people not to be afraid, to speak openly on any issue. Being a trouble-maker on television is a very coveted position and not everyone has that [laughs]. 

If you were a contestant, how would you have reacted to Akashdeep's screaming at other people?

I would have slapped him without caring for elimination. I'm a woman first and not lusting for money. Ask Anaida and Mona when they come out as to why they were not protecting the dignity of being a woman? Akashdeep did not say anything to me. If he did, I would have picked up a log and hit him.

Did your opinion change about celebrity contestants after being with them in the jungle?

Yes. Two people -- Marc and Aman. At first I thought Marc was playing a subtle game. But he was not. I thought Aman had a loser's approach as he had refused a challenge citing an upset stomach and an injury. Once inside I realised that his injury was not fake although it wasn't as severe as he portrayed it to be.

I always thought Jay was a sweet guy but now I feel he is a wimp and a loser. He is putting up with things like being called gay Shawn. Akash slapped him because he took Marc's name before his while nominating a leader. They even call him Jailo and treat him like a servant. If he is the anchor of Dance India Dance, I will never see the show again. He wanted to show that he is a man by screaming at Anaida.

Mona tried her best not to get into any kind of controversy though she was always interested in what was going on in each group. She wanted to please everybody. I do not respect Mona and Anaida anymore because they would say yes to everything and were made to do all the work.  

Who do you think will be the top three contestants?

People who could have won the show are already eliminated. The top three will be Mona, Chetan and Jay, by default. People do not want to vote for Akash anymore. I am sure people find Anaida irritating because she is. She even fought with me and I told her I did not want to make somebody else famous (like Rakhi Sawant) because they are fighting with me.

You have a love-hate relationship with Rakhi. Do you think she will get married to Elesh Parujanwala?

My dushmani with Rakhi is on personal level because she backstabbed me during Bigg Boss. I was the only one in Bigg Boss who spoke to her when others called her downmarket .We are not very good friends but are nice to each other when we meet.

To answer your second question, will Elesh marry Rakhi? [Smiles]