Media misinterpreted my comments: Hema Malini

Mumbai, Jan 27 (UNI) Actress and Rajya Sabha member Hema Malini, who was in the eye of a storm recently for her reported ''anti-North Indian remarks'', today said her comments were wrongly projected by the media.

In a statement here, Ms Malini said when she was being interviewed by television channels, there was a huge crowd and a lot of noise because of which she could not hear the questions posed to her. ''I Ms Malini said she had utmost respect for North Indians there fore is why she had participated in the Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day celebrations at Andheri Sports Complex on January 24.

''I had attended the programme on the invitation of an NGO called Abhiyaan and it was not a political programme. In my speech, I remarked that I was a South Indian daughter and a daughter-in-law of North India. I had then praised the hard work and sincerity of North Indians. But, sadly, the media did not cover this aspect of my speech,'' Hema Malini added.

The actress said she had acted in a Bhojpuri film ''Ganga'' only because she felt attached to the language. ''Recently, I performed at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Is this not an indication of my love and respect for North Indians. She asked'' What I am today is because of Hindi cinema and the love of Hindi-speaking people,'' she added.

She said Mumbai was the centre of every Indian's social life.

''How can we ask anybody to go back to where they have come from. I urge the political parties not to drag a sensitive artiste like me to such low-level politics,'' she said.

UNI