Mandira Bedi has multiple feathers on her cap. She is not only an acclaimed TV and film actor but is also a fashion designer and television presenter. Mandira was among the first females who entered into hosting and commentary for multiple cricketing championships, an arena that is often dominated by men.
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Hence, she was faced with a lot of prejudice and bias. In an interview, Bedi also spoke of being looked down upon by cricketers and the cricketing fraternity, reported Times Now.
“Of course, I got stared down by a lot of the cricketers like, ‘what’s she even asking, why is she even asking that.’ They answered whatever they wanted to answer nothing connected to my question and that can be very very intimidating.”
Despite that, the channel that contracted her showed faith in her and gave her that much-needed push.
“But I kind of was assured by the channel, it was Sony, that backed me and chose me from 150-200 women. They said that we’ve chosen you with the reason we think you have what it takes to stay, so go ahead and be yourself and start enjoying yourself.”
“I was told whatever question comes to your mind at that particular point of time if you’re thinking it ask it. I was given that freedom,” added the 49-years-old actor.
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Of course, a woman commenting on a game dominated by men that too while wearing a saree felt odd to many. Being accepted in this area was a lot of work for her.
“Nobody accepted me to begin with, certainly not the people sitting on the panel. I’m friends with all the ex-cricketers now who I worked with back then as well but they didn’t like that either,” said ‘The Tashkent Files’ actor.
“They didn’t like that there was a woman wearing a saree, dressed up, talking cricket. Nobody fed me any lines, nobody fed me any questions. I was there to represent the layperson who doesn’t know every technicality of cricket, who does not know every nuance of cricket.”
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Bedi is credited for opening doors for women hosts in sporting events and proving her mettle by her presenting skills. She began hosting ‘ICC Cricket World Cup’ in the years 2003 and 2007 and the ‘ICC Champions Trophy’ in the years 2004 and 2006. She also hosted the ‘Indian Premier League season 2’.
Kudos to Bedi for breaking stereotypes like a boss!
The post Mandira Bedi Recalls Being Stared Down For Being A Woman Host In A Saree & Talking Cricket appeared first on Storypick.
source https://www.storypick.com/mandira-bedi-stared-down-by-cricketers/