I hope Raj and my relationship is for keeps

Actress Shilpa Shetty couldn't have asked for more - her career is going great guns and her personal life too is looking up ever since she met Britain-based businessman Raj Kundra. And she hopes their relationship will be for keeps.

"Raj is a huge support. I don't deny his presence. I'd expect it to culminate into something permanent. But there's too much speculation about it. Anything I say about my relationship will be misconstrued," Shilpa told IANS in an interview.

Are you happy in the relationship?

"What do you think? Would I be in a relationship if I wasn't happy?"

Asked whether Raj had taken hold of her life and career, she said: "No. All my vital decisions are still taken by my father. He's 67 and still very strong, touch wood. I keep telling my beautiful mother she has contributed nothing to my looks."

Excerpts:

So where does your love life with Raj Kundra stand now?

It's not standing.

So where is it sitting?

It's there. He's a huge support. I don't deny his presence. Why should I?

Is this love for keeps?

I'm not god to decide that. I'd expect it to culminate into something permanent. But there's too much speculation about it. Anything I say about my relationship will be misconstrued. As of now my plate is full.

Are you happy in the relationship?

What do you think? Would I be in a relationship if I wasn't happy?

What does Raj think of your movies?

He's a complete movie buff. He sees all my films.

Will he produce a film for you?

No, he's helping me with my film-production plans. He has produced a film before. So he's experienced.

Has Raj taken hold of your life and career?

No. All my vital decisions are still taken by my father. He's 67 and still very strong, touch wood. I keep telling my beautiful mother she has contributed nothing to my looks.

What is the one thing in your life that has changed you lately?

The spiritual course at the Oneness University (in Chennai) has completely changed my outlook to life. My sister Shamita and I recently attended the Oneness camp. You don't have to belong to any religion to learn from the Oneness course. I believe life is a learning curve. And I'm learning so much about life. The experience is beyond words.

I'm discovering new things about myself. Like Karan Johar's "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" the Oneness course is all about loving your parents. All my life I've felt whatever I am is because of my parents. And now this course just reaffirms my faith. Soon after I met the founders of the university - Bhagwan and Amma - I got the chance to anchor "Bigg Boss".

"Bigg Boss" is your second stab at Indian television.

That's right. I was a judge on "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa" and immediately after that I left for London for "Celebrity Big Brother". My job on "Bigg Boss" is to interact with the contestants, the inmates in the house. I'll be their only link to the outside world. Arshad Warsi did it last year on "Bigg Boss". He did a very good job of it. I've been an inmate on "Big Brother" now I'm the host in "Bigg Boss".

I'm travelling back and forth from Mumbai to London shooting for "Bigg Boss" and Sunny Deol's film "The Man". But I'm not complaining.

You're travelling so much, don't you feel constantly jet lagged?

I do. But I'd rather be busy than sitting at home not working. God's been kind to me. He has kept me busy. Very few actors can claim to be going through their best years after 15 years in the business. I am. Yes, the constant travelling takes its toll. But I guess you have to do it when you have to. But I'm pretty much based in Mumbai.

But your love life is in London?

Ya, I guess (giggles). I'm very embarrassed. I can safely say now London is and will be my second home. But my family and work is in Mumbai.

Indo-Asian News Service