Honestly, every rule Rajiv's wife made for my family was bakwaas and detrimental : Pooja Bedi

Pooja Bedi, popular actress, anchor, socialite, has been on reality shows of every hue and shade. She is just back from her participation in the opening episode of Sony’s new reality series, Maa Exchange - Nayi Family Naya Drama, swapping her family with popular stand-up comedian Rajiv Nigam’s family. We caught up with her to know about her experience in the show. People have seen you in various reality shows, from hosting shows like Bigg Boss 2 (Aakhri Salaam), Just Pooja (her award-winning talk show) to being a contestant on popular series of Khatron Ke Khiladi, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Nach Baliye, Jodee Kamaal Ki, Mum Tum Aur Hum etc. How was this experience different from the rest? Yes, I have been a part of almost every kind of reality show, but Maa exchange was a very novel experience. 300 hours of total shooting time for two episodes was great. What was different was that I played myself in every show except Maa Exchange because in this show, I had to be someone’s mother, a part of an altogether different family. All the other shows like Fear Factor, Nach and Jhalak, it was about a challenge to overcome one’s fears and phobias, show physical strength, whereas Ma-Ex is about battling with different mindsets and tackling someone’s family, which is already habituated with the mother of the house and her way of tackling things. So, it was a very distinguished experience of all and I loved it. A lot of personal things were disclosed on the show, do you think that exposing kids and emotions was a great idea on national television? If you look at it from a third person’s view, the show has an amazing advantage in itself. Viewers can correct their behavior, change mindsets and have a different viewpoint after watching this show. I got an overwhelming response from people; it seems almost half of the nation saw it. I am getting continuous feedback on Facebook and Twitter too. How was your contribution different from Anuradhaji’s (Nigam’s wife) behaviour, when it came to making changes for the respective families? I think, I made a very positive change in the house. I was fighting with Rajivji for Anuradha’s rights in the house. Most of the times, I tried to bring in changes, which benefited the family, especially concerning the child. I loved him so much; I was so kind towards him. Changes like getting his child to be admitted in a play group, a full-time maid for the house and many more…whereas she was totally opposite of me. I found it totally ridiculous that she insisted more on finding flaws than on making some progressive changes, like I did in her family. According to me, to be honest, I think every rule she introduced and implemented were detrimental and ekdum bakwaas. Rajiv earns three times more than what I earn still she could not manage her house well! She is an educated lady, who’s a practicing lawyer, and still she could not cope up with my family in any way. I was actually shocked at her outlook towards certain things. Problems were from her side, as she failed to manage with my family manners. As for me, discipline is very important in kids, hence I have implemented certain schedules and time-table in my house, which I make sure they follow. She could not manage it at all. She had an incredibly negative outlook towards my family. A lot of emotions were involved in the show, especially with your daughter Aliya who objected to Anuradhaji’s ways when the latter tried to discuss the upbringing of your kids, and other things about the house. What do you have to say about it? I am proud of Aliya. I am so overwhelmed about her, as she stood up for me and supported me wherever she could. She was against anything and everything, which was against my self-respect. I got an unbelievable response from people, even on Twitter. Everyone wants to become like my daughter now. But, that horrible woman made Aliya cry, whereas I was so wonderful with her son. I tried to put in all my efforts for his progress. That was so wrong on her part. Not only with Aliya, but she created negativity in the whole family, which was a wrong attitude from a literate woman. After all this, were the issues settled? Will it bring the necessary changes in families? Was the show worth being on? Will people like the concept? Yes, definitely it was worth being on the show. My kids loved me more than ever. Rajiv thanked me and promised to make the necessary changes at the conference. People will like the show a lot. They will get to know and learn so many perspectives of human nature, problems, tackling manners, sentiments. I am sure it will make a positive change in a lot of families. And of all, I hope that I brought in some positivity with the role I played in the show (smiles). It’s a positive show and I wish it comes across as that for people as well.