Veena Malik for Indian Premier League

Indians may not be interested in having Pakistanis play the IPL, but this is not the case when it comes to our stars.

LAHORE: Many are expecting her to appear on the Bollywood silver screen. However, Pakistani model and actor Veena Malik has cricket-related plans. Malik who is currently working on two cricket based projects namely, “Big Toss” and “Chuck Dey Cricket” in India, is now  going to do a programme on cricket when the IPL  (Indian Premier League) season starts on April 8.

A source privy to the actor told The Express Tribune that her  current shows on cricket were doing pretty well, in addition to which the actor had several offers, including that of becoming an ambassador for IPL. The source revealed that the actor had accepted an offer to host a programme when the tournament starts in India, “She knows a lot about the game.” Malik is expected to return to Pakistan during the first week of April as her visa is expiring. She plans to stay for a few days and then return to India. When contacted in India, Malik confirmed that in fact she has agreed to host a programme for the IPL, charging a fee in the vicinity of Rs30 million.

The actor said: “Cricket has always been my passion and am very delighted that I am getting opportunities related to the game. A game I have religiously followed.”

The format of the show is entertainment plus information. There will be other panelists with her who will discuss the technicalities of the game. “I am very happy that the Pakistan cricket team is doing fabulously in the World Cup. My best wishes are with them,” she said.

Also making headlines is her choice of wardrobe, the star’s costumes have all been designed exclusively for her by Vinayak couture. “Veena has an excellent physique and can carry both Indian and Western outfits with great elan. For the ICC World Cup, we have divided her entire look into Indian, Indo-Western, Western and sportswear,” designer Gautam Gupta of Vinayak couture was quoted by a fashion website.

When asked about Bollywood, Malik said she has several offers, however, she would decide carefully. “There are two films under consideration right now and Ashmit Patel is the hero in both of them. I will announce my films at the right time.” When asked specifically about the film named Om Allah (rumour has it that she has signed this film) she refuted all news being circulated, saying that they were all rumours and she wasn’t doing any such film.



Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th_, 2011.