Controversy queen Veena Malik is making the headlines once again with her nude photograph on the cover page of Indian magazine FHM’s December edition, that was revealed on December 2. To top it all off Malik, who is posing nude, has an Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) tattoo on her bare arm.
From the famous slogan “Yeh Kiya Baat Howi Mufti Sahab” to Indian Reality TV show “Big Boss”, this diva has given the audiences both in India and Pakistan enough to talk about. With everyone focusing on Veena, talk and thoughts of Memogate and the Bonn conference have gone out the window. News channels have taken to questioning politicians like Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who said that he “had not seen the pictures” but would look into the matter.
When contacted, the controversial star’s PR Manager Sohail Rashid denied the possibility of Malik posing naked for a magazine in India. “I am in no position to comment. It has been just 30 seconds that I came across these pictures online. I will call her up but I hardly believe that she did this photo shoot. Yes, we do have bold pictures of her on our website, but never any nude ones. While bold pictures are in demand in the international market, I know she wouldn’t cross her limits. Had she done this, she would have certainly shared the details with me.”
After talking to Malik, Rashid added, “Veena Malik denies this shoot. These pictures have never been taken. She is currently busy in shooting two Bollywood films but has instructed me to contact her lawyer as soon as possible.”
On December 3, Rashid said that, “Veena has contacted her lawyer, Mr Asif, who is based in Lahore. He has told her not to talk to the media.”
However, Delhi-based editor of FHM India, Kabeer Sharma was more than willing to talk.
On Veena Malik
“I still believe Veena Malik is a strong, powerful and sexy woman. She is in such a fabulous shape; no Photoshop was required at all. For us, she was a woman who had the brain and ability to talk about everything from burqas on the beach to the controversy with Mohammad Asif. She had bared her soul completely and was not uncomfortable at all during the interview.”
While Malik did not want to talk to the Pakistani press, she seemed willing to talk to Sharma who said that he spoke to Veena on the morning of December 3 and said the actor believed the Pakistani media was blowing the issue out of proportion.
Confusion in the midst of controversy
In reply to Rashid denying that Veena Malik posed nude, Sharma has said that the shoot was entirely real, “I have not been in touch with Sohail Rashid, nor do I know him. Through him, Veena has asserted that these pictures were doctored but I would like to state that our entire team was present at the time of the shoot. At least eight people were also present at the studio in Versova, Andheri on November 23.”
ISI: Bigger is better
When asked about why Malik has the letters ‘ISI’ printed in black on her arm, Sharma said, “Let’s get one thing clear. This is not a tattoo and ISI has been painted on her arm. Veena was very excited when she heard this concept and actually requested the make-up artist to paint it bigger so that it could be seen clearly in print.”
He added that the idea behind the tattoo was “to show that the ISI had a hand in everything” which is a common saying in India.
Legal issues
When asked what would happen if Malik contacted her lawyer, Sharma nonchalantly stared, “If she goes to the lawyer, then we will see what we can do. FHM is popular magazine published worldwide and we are known for doing things professionally. For us, this is like any other cover. If somebody develops cold feet afterwards, what can we do about it?”
Kajal Agarwal and Veena Malik compared
FHM India has come under spotlight before as well when a topless picture of Indian actor Kajal Agarwal was printed on the cover of the magazine’s September issue and according to reports, Agarwal had accused the magazine of “morphing” her pictures. The magazine denied these claims.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2011.
COMMENTS (30)
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Ladies and gents, you need to calm down a bit. Let her be, does she hurt any of you? Truth to be said I'm happy to see some news about Pakistani people that don't involve terrorism or religion. I mean... come on, it's a pretty lady that makes people talk about Pakistan and its people in really nice words. Don't you think your country deserves that for a change? Yet you have to bring out the accusations, shame, guilt and punishment. Once again - let her be! She's right when she says that she is an entertainer - that's exactly who she is. Pakistani, Swedish or American - it doesn't really matter... If one would consider her actions to be embarrassing - she's only embarrassing herself, not the whole country or religion (and I don't think she is).
Peace :)
@veejayDJ Couldn't agree with you more!
Let her live the way she wants to, it's her life. All the people who commented against it, you can keep doing it, it won't make any difference to her!! She's enjoying what she's doing and that's that!! Agreed that it is against Islam for a woman to bare herself in front of men, but how come these "Muslims" overlook the abuse on women by their husbands? the child rape in Pakistan? and lets take the common daily happenings, like the mistreatment of parents or adults?!!
Atleast Veena is doing no harm to anyone but her self, her after life to be exact.
So let her be happy about it.
I say let her pose nude. Nothing is wrong with how you are born - in the nude. Hate is for the ignorant. Embrace and love, don't hide what is underneath. The question here is if FHM did manipulate the photos or not?
She have d grade all nation and our ISI.we should must punish her.
@Straight Fire: Is Veena's expresion of human art worse than your holy Islamic "pure' Pakistanis kidnapping, raping minor girls, celebrating Qadri and Salman Taseer's death???
@Joginder: Veena is on her way of reachingf Angelina Jolie status with all the news she is making. Watch her. She will do Pakistan proud!!
I have to admit Kabeer et all have done her a lot of favor. She looks sexy, hot on a hot cover and now with controversey and legal case added, the whole thing will blow sky high and catch international attention.
She is smarter than all Pakistanis put together.
@maestro:
Your post is interesting: it is paternal, fraternal and above all proprietorial, despite the explicit disclaimer . Pride in the Pakistan's possession is touching but I suspect the dress codes approved by you for them-jeans included-may not be approved by some others. I know well that Pakistan has produced some noteworthy women and they and not some starlets define Pakistani Woman globally. Pakistan is important but not that much so nor is it so fragile that a picture can make or break its image. By getting paranoid about what "others" would think of their women Pakistanis unwittingly insult achievements of other fine women that you refer to. And I fail to see how the glory of great worthies from Fatima Jinnah & Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan to Benazir Bhutto or today's Sherry Rehman & Asma Jahangir would get compromised by a model & part time actor just because her sartorial sense differs from yours! Let not the uncovered on a mag-cover cover anybody in shame thus.
@Straight Fire:
You say:- "Others will too ensure to keep the nature under precise balance."
Well if such a threat is indeed carried out it is no skin off my nose but I still think nothing will happen to her unless she has broken some law. I am sure Veena must have factored in all kinds of possibilities and then played a calculated gamble. Some do live dangerously you know, be it Taseer or Malik though the comparison is odious..But then Veena is a survivor: those that live by the 'skin' know how to save their skin. And yet if anything were to happen to her it would further sully the already sullied name of her own people, which is not a desirable prospect.
@Rakib: A Clan higher than 'Malik' has got serious issues with this. As you stepped forward in the defense of Defiance . Others will too ensure to keep the nature under precise balance. The ultimate result of extreme pleasure is extreme pain ...
this is her shameful act.
I do not support girls, especially Pakistani girls, posing in the nude. Whether it was photoshopped or not, we would find out later on. However, when there are cases of "Honour Killlings" of girls marrying someone of there own choosing, there is hardly any outcry if one compares the outcry over the Veena posing in the nude.
I think this time she has crossed all the limits. I think pak govt should take all the necassary action if the allegation on Veena Ji is true. Coz its a shame as its been shown regularly in the international media
@Straight Fire:
Point well made but....IMO, it would be simplistic to suggest that "Freedom" means "Nudity". Too, it would be naive to believe that Veena is a metaphor for all lofty liberal values. She does make a point, although in a manner mercenary,in favour of freedom of individual choices..Her detractors would be as venomous as the Thackres of Bombay or Ram Sena of Bangalore but they will run out of steam. She has played her cards brilliantly well:her assertion that the picture is morphed by the evil publisher will make average Pakistanis to believe her simply because they would want to; and because believing the Indian would be a more painful alternative.
Reg the much touted matter of "Honour": the traditional practice in the Subcontinent is to kill one's kinswoman only, and if Clan Malik has no issues with her, nobody else would have any either. Veena is a subject of chattering classes,at the moment, as a welcome break from their boredom and nobody will spare a thought among the masses unless she has committed a crime under the blasphemy laws.
Whats all the fuss about? Real or fake, We will all know that very soon when the magazine issue goes out in the market, wont we?
This is kind of in the culture of Pakistan that first they do things and then deny doing. it is not bravery to pose naked for a shoot real bravery is to own what u did or what u said.
@Rakib: As long as 'Freedom' means sex and nudity ... 'Honor' will mean killing and blood ... The war between the followers of Freedom and Honor will remain alive, the only thing that would matter is who is gonna win it and u as well as I know who will ... ;) ... so enjoy you freedom for very limited time
It is not Veena that is damaging the reputation of Pakistan;it is her hysterical critics that are doing so. The hardliners & extremists have done the real harm to Pakistan's image. Veena on the other hand has shown the softer,free-er side of the earthy people to whom she belongs.
Dear All Pakistani,
AOA, I request all my fellow Pakistani brothers & sisters to ignore reading, commenting on Venna's behaviour, attitude and actions because our valuable time and comments should not be wasted on such a person who has no respect for herself even.
All prayers for safe & prosperous PAKISTAN (Aameen)
It's amazing to see the difference in mentality of Indians and Pakistani's only 60 years after partition. Looking at the comments page of Indian newspapers, most Indians are supporting Veena Malik, whereas Pakistani's are asking for her to be stoned! FFS, grow up please.
There is something fishy about the whole cover business. One wonders, how many covers does this FHM magazine have? The pic with censor's blacking shown above can be seen in all its glory in Daily Mail in which Veena is wearing nothing, but has both her arms and a leg strategically placed. But the official FHM website (http://fhmindia.com/index.php/access-girls/157-fhm-dec-cover) shows her wearing some kind of an ammo belt around her hips, left arm doing the necessary cover-up job, and the right hand holding a hand grenade to her lips. The rest of the written stuff, tattoo and all, is substantially the same. FHM must be giggling all the way to the bank.
@Alina Iqbal: Our female celebrities have begun to do anything for "fame" attention and money. Her father has just filed a court case against her - God if I had a daughter like this - i would have a heart attack. Bollywood cast couches are known for asking for "favors" before they approve them for a scene. She doesn't care about anything but herself. Not her country, not her family. Just fame and money - first she hooked up with Mohammad Asif who has been sentenced to prison in match fixing. Then goes to India and just google Veena Malik pictures - she happily wears bare minimum in public in India - it was only a matter of time before she took it all off. She says shes not an ambassador of Pakistan, just an entertainer! Well then, you are negating your Pakistani citizenship because when ANY Pakistani travels abroad, they are REPRESENTING their country! - the worlds oldest profession and she is in it. You want to be "bold" - just admit it. This woman needs psychological treatment. Wait till she hits 40, unmarried with illegitimate children who will see these pics and more by that time. Continue "entertaining" Veena - we were all proud of you for the real bold stand you took against the mullahs - but this is not the way. Severely disappointed.
Veena Malik for the president ! :D
LOLS!! Now THIS is a fake photo shopped pic clearly! Just admit it Veena. The FHM editors have told GEO that they have emails from her liking the nude pics and a video as well. Stop lying Veena. There are better ways of showing off your femininity or making money - by using your intellect and intelligence to spread peace in the world. Thats much more attractive than showing off your body and that too with ISI painted on your arm while in India - whether it was a joke or not. Just when Pakistan needs its people abroad to behave with some sense you go and do this. Its shameful, i'm sorry. No one is asking you to wear a burqa - but just some level of decency abroad. Just think what every indian and pakistani thinks of you now, as seen by the comment above by mr. singh. It was a "bold" shoot. Please explain what that means and what does "i was wearing "clothes" mean? What clothes were you wearing? Boots? lols.
She deserves a strict punishment. Now its not just a matter of her personal morals, but her acts are now targeting Pakistani institutions. Government now needs to do some investigation into this matter. She needs to be tamed.
It is disgrace to have such female calling herself Pakistani. We are a nation founded on the basis of religion, we call ourselves Islamic Republic but unfortunately have forgotten this important fact. Morphed or not this not the first time that veena has crossed the limits, crossing the country boundaries doesn't allow her to put Pakistan's image on jeopardy. I believe that every person should have a freedom of expression but if you are representing the country on the world wide media then one should not forget the fundamentals and the consequences of the actions. Pakistani government should take strict actions and even if the pic is morphed the point is that Veena did agree to give a bold shoot for a men magazine and that in past her actions speak for the disgrace she brought in by doing Big boss, God knows what else she will do to the country's reputation in future. She in no way deserves to be called a Pakistani and strong action to be taken, or else it will be no sooner that we see a Pakistani models in bikini taking part in the Miss Universe and Miss world Competitions. Once again we 'The Public' are ashamed to see the level of our celebrities.
so many articles on this in just one day. Brilliant
i am begining to like this girl.