Twinkle Bajpayi: ‘I CAN'T TAKE HUMILIATION’

Those who watched Sunday evening’s episode of Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket (pairing a celebrity with an auditioned participant) on 9X were witness to some no-holds-barred mud-slinging by TV stars. F-words were flung around in the presence of mentors Zeenat Aman, Shabana Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar and Amrita Singh, and of course the audience. It all ended in enfant terrible Twinkle Bajpayi, who was on the brink of being one of the bottom two teams and facing a vote-out by fellow-contestants, walking out of the show. t2 finds her fighting fit…

Twinkle Bajpayi

How did this ugly scrap start?

Mihika (Verma) started it. I think she got upset ever since we got a perfect 10 from the mentors. She kept alleging that I was being presented like a star with better costumes and songs. But I was shocked at the way Chetan (Hansraj, playing Bheem in Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki) and Karan (Patel) jumped into the fray.

But it made for very ugly televison?

Well, it could have been sorted out off camera. We are all Balaji actors. But I won’t take nonsense. Chetan had earlier beaten up Puneet (Twinkle’s partner) and pushed me. I never said anything. Karan doesn’t have manners. If people are rude to me I’ll be rude to them.

Why did you refuse to be voted out by your fellow actors?

We were not told the format earlier. I have objected to it from the beginning. Amritaji told me to do what I was told. But I can’t take humiliation.

A few months back you were sacked from Zee TV’s Betiyaan. Won’t all this harm your career?

I was not sacked. I was unhappy with the story which was making me pregnant. I am 21 and not ready to play a mother. So I left. I am good at my work. I am talented. That is why Balaji has hired me for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. My career is not affected at all. I am the face of Antakshari on Zee Arabia. And if I am right the audience will force them to bring me back on Bollywood Ka Ticket. That will be a slap on everyone’s faces.

Are you disappointed at missing your Bollywood Ka Ticket?

Of course. The prize was a role in a Rs 70-crore movie. It is not difficult to earn that much money but you wouldn’t invest it to make a film for yourself.

Rajashree Thakur

Saat Phere’s Saloni will no longer be there on Zee TV’s Ek Se Badhkar Ek “showing attitude”. The dusky beauty has walked out. The judges Ahmed Khan and Abhijeet had been picking on Rajashree Thakur “since the beginning of the show”. Though the audience bailed her out more than once, Abhijeet even expressed dissatisfaction at how sympathy votes were making “the undeserving stay on”, drawing a sharp repartee from the bahu of Zee TV’s top-rated serial. t2 finds her out, but definitely not down…

Rajashree Thakur: ‘I CAN'T ROLL ON THE FLOOR’

Why did you walk out of Ek Se Badhkar Ek?

I have not walked out. I quit the show because I have a ligament tear which has got aggravated by all the dancing.

The judges have been picking on you all through. Have you found out why?

Why should I try to find out? You should ask the judges. My job is to come and dance and I have done just that.

They said that you show attitude when you get poor marks but you are not thankful enough when you score well...

I can’t roll on the floor or start jumping in joy, in case that is what they were expecting! It is not my lookout what the others are doing.

As Saat Phere’s Saloni, you were the biggest star on this show…

I don’t consider myself a star. I may have some fans. People like me.

And they were bailing you out every time you were going into the danger zone…

Audience voting should be respected and it was an agreed part of the format. I cannot help it if someone has a problem with that. I only commented when it was said that ‘People don’t have brains when they vote’.

What memories are you taking back?

Good memories. I have learnt a lot. I was in the contest to enjoy myself. I was working towards that.

What keeps you busy now?

Saat Phere and my home decor. I will soon make another reality show appearance as a guest.

What about the injury?

I have been advised 20-25 days rest. I must have torn the ligament earlier. I did not mention it on the show as I did not want sympathy votes.