I was gutted: Mandira Bedi

Amidst reports that Mandira Bedi was dropped as the IPL3 anchor in India since she is past her ‘sell-by’ date, the anchor shares with CT her triumph of being the first woman anchor for the cricket matches on ITV in UK....

While Indian television might not get to see you anchoring the IPL shows, you are off to England to present live IPL matches on ITV for the UK audience!

Yes, that’s true. A couple of weeks back, I was told that I wouldn’t be a part of the IPL presentation for SET Max. And then, I was approached to be a part of presenting the matches live to over 20 million viewers on ITV. I am leaving for London today. I return to India after the first 15 days of the tournament. I’ll spend the next 15 days in India and will be watching matches live in Kolkata and Delhi. I’ve been approached by Sony to be a special guest for some of their pre-shows during that period. Once that gets over, I’ll be returning to the UK for the rest of the tournament.

Some reports in the media have quoted sources saying that you are not part of the anchor team here because you are past your ‘sell-by date’...

I don’t go by what sources claim on conditions of anonymity. I know what I bring to the table. Moreover, I have been offered to be a part of the channel’s programme when I return to India during the middle of the tournament. If someone thinks that I am past my ‘sell-by’ date, it’s his problem. I am not bothered. Sadly, I am always the sacrificial lamb. When a channel wants to start something, I am one who is put on the chopping block. I am disappointed and honestly, I must confess that when I first heard the news of not being part of the IPL3, all wasn’t well for me. But I’ve moved on.

How did you get to know that you wouldn’t be hosting IPL3 in India?
Rather than living in suspense, I asked the channel about their plans and whether they’d be needing me. I was told that this time around, there has been a change of policy. I was told that I wasn’t being replaced by another female anchor. With four male anchors, the show was going back to the basics and the presentation would be about serious, hardcore cricket.

Would that mean that serious hardcore cricket isn’t something that women can do? Is gender an issue then?
I really don’t know what to say. It is a policy decision and I admit that I felt bad. I was gutted when I first heard it. But there is no anger in me against the channel. I am not breaking any relations. I have done cricket with SET Max for seven years. They are the ones responsible for me being considered as an anchor. Even this show that I will be hosting in the UK has never had a woman cricket host. I can be disappointed but I can’t forget that I owe my connection to cricket to SET Max. I feel like starting all over again as I leave for the UK. It is a brand new audience for me. In India, I had time for people to get to like and accept me. I don’t know how forgiving and accepting the British audience will be.

What do you think you bring to the table that the other anchors (Samir Kocchar, Gaurav Kapur, Ayushman Khurana and Angad Bedi) don’t?
All of them are competent anchors. Gaurav and Samir have been part of the earlier IPL presentations. Angad, besides being Bishen Singh Bedi’s son, has also anchored Emotional Atyachar. He will know his cricket. Ayushman is a spunky chap and has hosted shows. As for me, I bring a certain energy to the show. On my own, I can’t claim that I add glamour to the shows. Last year, I was the only anchor who managed to get interviews with all the captains. I was on ground and I’ve seen that cricketers can get tough and also refuse to be interviewed. But nobody turned me down.

While in the UK, have you been given any instructions on your dress code? Is the noodle strap back?
Ever since I came on board, I’ve exchanged some 300 e-mails on this issue. Thankfully, those who’ve approached me are aware of my work. I didn’t wear saris for IPL2 in South Africa. This year, I’ll go for a mixed style. And yes, the noodle strap will be back. As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

On Monday as India debated about the Women’s Reservation Bill, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman ever to won an Oscar for the Best Director at the Academy Awards. In between, you got dropped in a show that will have four male anchors. What’s your take on women’s emancipation?

Kathryn’s win is big. But when it comes to women’s emancipation, I think we are still taking babysteps. Unlike my husband, I am a strong supporter of Women’s Reservation Bill. Progress has happened for women but I’d still say it’s only in pockets. Look at the banking sector and how well women have done there. It’s a small percentage of women who are treated as equally as their brothers. I understand that reservation might set in complacency but I feel it’s important for some women to be the voice of others.