Being a bisexual in Pakistan is not difficult

Pakistan's cross-dressing talk-show host Begum Nawazish Ali hastened out of Mumbai to avoid a Shiv Sena backlash soon after being evicted from Bigg Boss house. But not before speaking to Subhash K Jha

We've both watching you on Bigg House. What are you plans?
As soon as I came out of Bigg Boss I went to a friend's house in Mumbai. In the morning I returned to my hotel by an auto- rickshaw. This evening I leave Mumbai.

You should have stayed a while?
I don't think the channel wants me to, not after the Shiv Sena's protests.I'm going back home, I'm missing my mom.I've been completely cut off inside Bigg Boss.

When I came out of the House they didn't allow me to talk to my family until very late in the night. I got a mobile phone at 1 am. At that time I woke up my Mom and Dad. Both my parents had been watching me on Bigg Boss and were very proud of me.

When you came out of Bigg Boss you must have heard of the political campaign to get you out of the country?
I did hear about it. It surprised me. I saw no logic behind this kind of a protest. Both Veena Malik and I were inside the House not as representatives of any country but as players in a game show. I didn't choose to be born in Pakistan. It's something that just happened to me.

If I was born in Mumbai I'd have been an Indian. 63 years ago we were one nation. Mere dil se dua hai ki hum phir ek ho jayen. If that happened the entire South- East Asia would prosper so much. Why do we waste so much time in negativity?

Was there a solidarity between you and Veena Malik in the Bigg Boss house?
The interesting thing is, both Veena and I are from Pakistan and we're both from television. But we've met only 2-3 times. But obviously when you're abroad then meeting someone from home means a lot. Even as a person I like Veena a lot. She's frank and she said what she had to in front of you. Not like some other Bigg Boss housemates who bitched behind your back. She isn't two-faced.

Who was?
Shweta Tiwari. But Veena, Anchal Kumar and I really bonded. We used to converse in Punjabi in the House. I also become very friendly with Rahul Bhatt, a harmless soul. And Seemaji (Parihar). Hrishant Goswami was sweet.

Manoj Tiwari is quite a politician. Woh harfan maula hain. I really didn't face any unpleasantness from anyone. No complaints.But there was a tussle between Manoj and Samir Soni. Considering they were the senior-most members of the House I found their behaviour immature.

You've a strong feminine side to your personality. Why did you choose to focus on the masculine side inside the Bigg Boss house?
I was born a man. But to become 'Beghum' needs elaborate preparation. I need a whole team of people to dress me up.

Are you saying Beghum is just a character you play?
No she is a part of me. But she's very high-maintenance.

Is to difficult maintaining a bi-sexual life in a conservative society like Pakistan?
Not at all. Contrary to belief Pakistan is not such a conservative country. Pakistan is very accepting of me. I'm free to lead my life how I choose to. Now I need to go home and take some time off. I've been on camera for 20 whole days.

I couldn't forget you were being watched all the time. I feel drained. Because I was just being myself. There were problems with the food also…what I could eat and couldn't. At home we never think of such restrictions.

It was like going to boarding school?
Exactly. As a child I went to the best boarding school for boys in Pakistan. I ran away in a month.I don't like restrictions. It's against my nature. But I enjoyed my stay in Bigg Boss.

You live with your parents in Pakistan?
My parents are separated. I live with my mother in Islamabad. My father lives in Karachi. I spend a lot of time doing my television work in Karachi. When I'm there I stay with my father. But my bonding with my mother is unique.

Do you have a love life?
I had a love life. Now I am going to a normal life.

Do you plan to return to India?
I'd love to. Baat simple si hai. I don't like to mince my words. At the moment Pakistan is plagued with problems. Entertainment is not a priority there. I am an entertainer. And India can provide me with lots of work. When I come to India I don't come as a Pakistani. I come here as an actor. If I get work of course I'll return.

You are always welcome in India?
I know that. Thank you. I know the Shiv Sena was not speaking on behalf of all Indians. Indians are so hospitable. So many artistes from Pakistan are always welcome here. The Shiv Sena must have its own agenda. Hamara unse kya lena? Our life goes on as normal.

Celebrity Women Who Are Bisexual.....

Sexuality is often treated oddly by the media. Lesbians are often ‘sexed up’ for films and magazines, but real lesbians can face a hostile reaction. And bisexuals? Well, the press are either fascinated or disgusted. Media aside, however, it’s about time we celebrated the female form…how many of us slave over our exercise regimes and diet plans to look great for the Summer?! And whether it’s a sexual attraction or just an admiration, here are the eight stars who’ve admitted to loving women too.

1. Fergie
Black eyed peas lead singer Fergie has revealed she is bisexual, and has enjoyed lesbian relationships in the past. She’s always been a huge admirer of the female form, and in their latest video she even shoots some girl-on-girl action for the camera. I love the way she’s bold! I love her stage outfits, too, and have you ever seen her looking anything less then perfect?!

2. Megan Fox
Megan sent the tabloids into overdrive when she admitted to having a lesbian relationship with a stripper when she was 18, but she also controversially admitted that she doesn’t like bisexual women. “I could never be with a woman who had been with a man.” Ah…well, never the less, the Transformers star says she is a man-only woman now anyway.

3. Nelly Furtado

The ‘Maneater’ and ‘Promiscuous’ singer has recently admitted she loves the female form just as much as the male, and says she believes everyone is inherently bisexual. It certainlt got the rumour mill going! And looking like she does, I bet she’ll have no shortage of female admirers, too. “I believe what Kurt Cobain said that in the end, everyone is gay. Everybody should have the freedom to experiment. Sexual experiment is part of human history!”

4.Drew Barrymore
I love Drew…she has such gorgeous features, and she’s so too the point! There was no does she/doesn’t she when she was questioned about her preferences, with Drew freely saying, “Do I like women sexually? Yes I do. Totally.” Bold AND beautiful, Drew’s fantastic! She went on to describe her feelings, “I think a woman and a woman together are beautiful, just as a man and woman together are beautiful.”

5.Lindsey Lohan
I think Lindsey’s a stunner, and she certainly set the tabloids alive when she started a relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson. The media were convinced it was a publicity stunt, but the two really did suit each other, and the break up clearly left Lohan broken. “I appreciate people, and it doesn’t matter who they are, and I feel blessed to be able to feel comfortable enough with myself to say that.” Go Lindsey!

6. Pink
I was surprised to hear Pink talking about her bisexuality, after her marriage to biker Carey broke down.. “I would also be just as happy with a new woman. I’m not complicated, I sing about love in all its shapes, forms and colours.” She revealed. Although rumour has it that she has recently renwed her vows, so she might me a one-man-only woman now!

7. Lady Gaga
A relatively new star, Lady Gaga has done an amazing job of making women feel sexually liberated, and showing it is acceptable.

She claimed her hit single Poker Face was about bisexuality, and said, “I’m girl-crazy too. It really depends on where I am. I love men, I love women and I love sex.” Well said!

8. Angelina Jolie

“Can you imagine Lara Croft as a lesbian? At the end of the day, I really like women. I’d love it if the girls in the cinema watching Lara Croft find me just as hot as their boyfriends do.” So while she might be one half of one of the most famous couples in the world, Angelina certainly isn’t a man-only women, and has even admitted a fling with female co star Jenny Shimizu. So there’s hope for all of us Angelina admirers yet!

How empowering are these women?! Whether you are bisexual or straight, everyone can admire the female form, and having these women doing it in public is a great way to raise awareness and help women to feel sexually liberated. After all, this is the 21st Century, ladies! Can you think of a bisexual celebrity I’ve forgotten? I’d love to add them!