According to the latest media reports, live wire Veena Malik seems to have found true bliss with her husband Asad Bashir Khattak after being accused of being involved with the likes of Babrek Shah, Muhammad Asif (cricketer) and others.

While in Pakistan, she enjoyed popularity thanks to her frequent verbal bouts with co-actors and a high-flying career as a fashion model and actress. The story then took a turn and Veena stepped into a new phase in her life. One day she approached me to translate some text that she had received for the Indian show Bigg Boss. Veena had always been quite anxious to secure a place for herself in Bollywood. In order to cement her career in the Indian showbiz industry, she went on to forge intimacy with her Bigg Boss co-star Ashmit which set tongues wagging on both sides of the border.

Her lifestyle in India earned her the angst of Pakistanis but she didn’t seem to care despite threats being hurled and all the hate mail she received. Popularity and riches seemed to be her only aim, and so all the brouhaha was just a part of the deal. During several attempts by me to contact her, she refused to talk on the issue.

Now Veena Malik is back and trying her best to put people’s minds and anxiety at ease after tying the knot with the UK-based businessman, Asad Bashir Khattak, who originally hails from Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A few days back she spoke to Images on Sunday from London.

Queen of controversy Veena Malik spills the beans on Bollywood, scandals, marriage and politics

Why bid goodbye to Bollywood now?

VM: It was the right time to quit since I decided to get married and nothing else mattered.

Your engagements in India raised many eyebrows back home. Do you wish you could undo it all?

VM: I did nothing wrong in India so why I should repent? When you are in showbiz you have to take on several roles: that of a lover, wife, prostitute, club dancer, etc. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Secondly, Pakistan has given me recognition so I can never even imagine of defaming it through my actions!

Your cover for an Indian lifestyle magazine?

VM: That’s all in the past and something that was misused.

You quit Bollywood and plunged straight into marriage while you still had offers. Why?

VM: My family had been on the lookout for a suitable rishta for me since the initial stage of my career. I had offers from all over the world, but then my career was more important to me. Baqi jo Allah ko manzoor ho wohi hota hai.

How did you two meet?

VM: I was at the US Embassy in Dubai for my visa where we had a chance encounter and then we kept on meeting and finally decided to tie the knot.

The very bold and brash Veena has now been tamed and turned religious. How do you feel now?

VM: Very positive, especially after performing Umrah with my husband. Now I see life from a different perspective and I’m determined to help those in need. I have been working for polio, human rights and also doing charity work.

There was a lot of noise regarding the recent blasphemy issue concerning a morning show host on a private TV channel which featured you and your husband as guests. Comment.

VM: Television content is always controlled and written by the writer and director. The guests are usually unaware of it and not in a position to add or subtract anything. Same was the case here where we had no concern with whatever was going on.

When do you plan to return to Pakistan?

VM: Soon. After all, it’s our homeland. We have a number of welfare projects in the pipeline.

Do you as a couple have any political affiliations or aspirations?

Asad Bashir Khattak: So far, no as I’m not inclined to any particular party. I do love Imran Khan as he leads the youth and I have great respect for Nawaz Sharif since I feel he is a mature leader.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, July 13th, 2014