This Oxford graduate actress, who worked with Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, was sentenced to 5 years in jail due to…

Becoming an actor and working in Bollywood is a dream of many aspiring talents. An artiste manages to get that one big break in movies and starts a new journey of living dreams. For a few individuals, getting that big break wasn't that tough as compared to retaining a position in the film industry. One wrong call can destroy the whole career, and this is something gorgeous, talented actor and dancer Monica Bedi has been through. 

Monica Bedi's background

 

 

 

 

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Monica Bedi was born on January 18, 1975, in a Punjabi family in Hosiyarpur, Punjab. Her father, Dr Prem Kumar Bedi, is a doctor, and her mother, Shakuntala Bedi, is a homemaker. Monica has a younger brother, Bobby Bedi. In 1979, Monica's family moved to Norway, and Monica did her schooling in Norway. After school, Monica graduated with English Literature from Oxford University.  

Monica's journey from Norway to Mumbai

Monica had no interest in acting, but she was fond of dancing. To learn classical dance, Monica flew down to Mumbai from famous dance guru, Gopi Guru. One day, veteran actor-director-producer Manoj Kumar spotted Monica in Gopi Guru's classes. Manoj was impressed with her dancing skills, and he offered her the role of leading lady opposite his son Kunal Goswami's film Kiritmaan. 

When Monica requested Manoj Kumar to let her go

As per media reports, Manoj signed a 3-year contract, and she couldn't sign any other projects. On the other side, his home production, Kirtimaan, was not going on the floors. Thus, Monica requested Manoj to release her from the contract and take on other projects. Manoj acknowledged Monica's request based on professional growth, and she got her first project, the Telugu film Taj Mahal (1995) by D Rama Naidu. 

Monica made her way from Telugu to Hindi films 

Monica's debut film was a super-hit, and she got other projects in Telugu. Soon her popularity attracted Hindi producers, and that's how she made her debut in Bollywood with Saif Ali Khan in Suraksha (1995). Since Monica had no godfather in the film industry, she went on to sign back-to-back films, without thinking much. Films like Aashique Mastaane, Khilona, Ek Phool Teen Kaante, and Tirchi Topiwale flopped badly which affected her career. While working on films, Monica even started doing stage shows in India and overseas. 

Monica's biggest mistake of her life

During her show in Dubai, Monica met underworld don Abu Salem. Monica and Abu went on to become friends, and soon their friendship turned into a relationship. If reports are to be believed, Abu recommended Monica to big-banner producers and directors, and she went on to star in films such as Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, Tada, and Jodi No 1. 

When Monica quit films for Abu Salem and got jailed for...

Monica decided to quit the film industry to get settled with Abu Salem. In 2002, Monica and Abu went to Portugal and they got arrested for entering the country on forged documents. They both served 2.5 years imprisonment in Portugal, and they were deported back to India. As Hindustan Times reported, the CBI court had sentenced Bedi to five years imprisonment, which was later reduced to three years by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. In 2007, Monica Bedi completed her sentence and walked away free. From 2002 to 2007, Monica spent five years in jail imprisonment.

Monica Bedi 2.0 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Monica Bedi (@memonicabedi)

After completing her jail sentence, Monica tried to revive her career by participating in Bigg Boss 2 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and doing shows such as Saraswatichandra and Bandhan. Monica even did Punjabi films such as Romeo Ranjha, Sirphire and Bandookan. Monica continues to do stage shows, and she keeps her followers updated about her activity through her Instagram.