Begum Nawazish Ali originally Ali Saleem has brought a revolution of sorts in the television industry of both Pakistan and India. Ali, a cross dresser who loves to dress like a woman, is currently hosting a talk show titled Begum on the newly launched channel 9X. Begum Nawazish Ali (Ali Saleem) was brought up in a very conventional family. The son of a retired army officer Ali is very close to his mother. He tasted his first brush with success when he started mimicking the late Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto. Begum Nawazish Ali hosts a talk show called The Late Night Show with Begum Nawazish Ali on Aaj TV.

Tellychakkar caught up with Begum and found out a lot more about her attention-grabbing personality.

Tell us a little about your childhood.
I had a very protected and comfortable childhood. It was a very nice and conventional childhood. I had a very close- knit kind of army life. I was constantly under watch even at the school as almost all my teachers were my mother’s friend. I must say that I had the most secure childhood. It was like that of any other child. I have had many happy years. It was a great and stress free childhood. I was really attached to my mother; I was a mamma’s boy. My teachers treated me with love and affection. I was an adored and loving kid.

What about your education?
I did my schooling in Islamabad, College in Karachi and I did my further studies in London. I have done my B.B.A.

How many siblings do you have? What do they do?
I have two younger brothers. One of them is studying and the other one is married and working.

When did you begin to get attracted towards female attire?
Since a very early age. I was so close and attached to my mother. I always enjoyed donning her clothes whenever she was not present at home. I loved draping myself in her dupatta as a child. But taking it seriously happened when I got a chance to impersonate Benazir Bhutto. It was in 1998 when I was doing theatre.

How much time does it take you to get ready as Begum?
It takes me two hours. I really enjoy draping a saree and putting the make-up on.

On an emotional and psychological level how do you cope up with this dual personality?
There is no conflict and there is no dual personality. Let me make this clear as there are so many misconceptions. It is just a character I play. When I play the character of Begum Sahiba I am not being myself, it is a completely different character and human being. It is just my profession and I am happy and comfortable with my job. There is no haunting of the character and no conflict or dual personality. When a particular actor essays a character I don’t think it haunts him.

Pakistan being a conservative country how did audiences accept you?
I strongly contest this statement. I feel that people making such statements are brain washed by the media who wants to get negative publicity. My experience tells me that Pakistan is in fact a very open, tolerant and liberal country. I have had faced no issues and hassles in my country so far. My audience has given me so much of love and acceptance. Just the fact that I exist in Pakistan and my show runs there proves everything to the world. I have had hardcore maulvis (Islamic priests) greeting me with respect and love, so I refute the statement. I have had more interaction with people from Pakistan so I find Pakistan more suiting.

What made your show popular in Pakistan? Is it the content or your mysterious personality?
I think it is a bit of both. Begum Sahiba is a very colourful character. She fills the show with liberation, positivity and fun. She fills the show with excitement and vibrance and enthralls her audience. I would also say that it is a content driven show. Only the cosmetic appearance cannot hold the audience for two and a half years. I try to mix the fun and glamour with intelligence. I talk and discuss on substantial issues but not in a morbid, dry and dull way but in a rather light way so that it is easy to understand and comprehend by the common man. Talking in a light way makes it easy to change the common man’s perception to certain things. Begum Nawazish’s presence does give an entertainment dose to the viewers. The setting of the show is very glamorous and the visuals are very rich. A combination of both is the formula of success.

Tell us about your attraction towards the cricketers especially Dhoni. Is he still the centre of your attraction?
Of course! Begum Sahiba has a fascination towards men. She is completely bowled by young, handsome men. Begum Sahiba has a fascination with Dhoni and many others. She truly believes in the saying, “The more the merrier.”

From where did you pick up your favourite phrase ‘Meri Jaan’?
It’s not picked up from anywhere. It is just an expression of love for somebody. Begum Sahiba is extremely full of love and life. She is trying to break all the barriers and reach out to the people. She uses her charm to work magic on people. She likes to get upclose and personal that is why she uses such expressions which help her to get people open up to her.

Would you like to share some behind the scene experiences?
I don’t want to sensationalise things and get negative publicity by saying certain things that people want to read or hear. It has been smooth sailing and people are getting to see the best of the recordings after it is edited.

Which is the best comment that you have received so far?
I keep receiving comments on my beauty, intellect and courage. It is very flattering but I don’t take it seriously and take it to my head. I listen to such compliments from one ear and let it out from the other. I don’t want to get affected by such compliments.

Who have been your favourite celebrity guests so far both from Pakistan and India?
That is a very difficult question. Actually I do not carry a measuring tape to find out who has reached what level of favouritism. Everybody is unique in their own way. They all have their own view-points and different personalities. I feel great meeting and knowing new people with every new episode. I just try to bring out the human side of the big and famous. Through my show I convey that “Nobody is God, Everybody is human.” I feel they are very inspiring and one can learn a great deal from them.

Who do you want to interview?
I would like to interview some of the politicians. I believe that politics of South-Asia has had an effect on over a billion people. There are many questions to be asked and many ways to be found. I want to know the lives of the common lot.

What do you look for in your real-life partner?
Begum and I are not really looking for anyone. I believe if you look much and be desperate it lures you. I believe that the best thing to do is to wait. Also Begum and Ali Saleem keep each other busy. They believe that life should be lived to the maximum. So far there is no looking business but only the fun business happening.

What are your plans after this talk show? More such projects coming up?
I do not plan anything in life. I totally believe in ‘Allah’. I have left all the things in the able hands of God and just try to be positive and compliant. I do not try to be over ambitious but just reasonably ambitious. I am open to new things. I strongly believe that God has brought me this far and he has better plans in store for me. One should let things be. The more you plan the more they are bound to bounce.

Do you watch television? Which is your favourite show from Pakistan and India?
Yes, I do watch television. But to be honest I get nauseated by all that saas-bahu crap on television. I just hate watching women scheming and plotting against each other. I feel such soaps are a conspiracy against women. They portray women as snakes and bitches which is wrong. I keep swapping and watch whatever catches my fancy.

Are the Indian shows popular in Pakistan as well?
Yes, of course. Please don’t ask me to name them.

Any message for our readers?
I want to tell them to believe in themselves. Please never hurt or harm anyone. Do not wrong anyone as there is no bigger crime than the harm done to humanity at whatever level. Also one has to fear God and be positive. Be comfortable and let others also be comfortable. Basically live and let others live.