Says socialite Bina Ramani who has faced both flak and pat in the high-profile murder case of model Jessica Lal. In an email interview from Goa, the socialite pours her heart out to MiD DAY
Says socialite Bina Ramani who has faced both flak and pat in the high-profile murder case of model Jessica Lal.u00a0 In an email interview from Goa, the socialite pours her heart out to MiD DAY
MiD DAY spoke to socialite Bina Ramani post No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ), the Rani Mukherjee-Vidya Balan starrer that is about the high-profile Jessica Lal case. Here are the excerpts:u00a0 
Misrepresented? Bina Ramani says the filmmakers never made any
attempt tou00a0 contact her. File pic
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The film, NOKJ, was in news even before it went on floors. Why did you decide to raise objections now?
BR: I raised objections immediately after I saw the film. I was appalled to see my fictionalised version. It is the opposite of what I actually am.
Did you or the filmmakers try to approach each other while the film was being scripted so that there was no confusion?
They never made any attempt to contact me. In fact, I did make one call to the director, Raj Kumar Gupta, when numerous friends and acquaintances asked me if I was being consulted, as my family and I were the main spine of the whole true story. My lawyer suggested I make a call and offer my views. Well, Mr Gupta categorically told me that he was only the director and was following instructions on the script and did not need any input from me. It was disturbing for me.
In the film, it has been shown that Mallika Sabarwal shared a tense relationship with her husband and daughter. Is this true? Did you feel at any point of time (even for a day), that your family holds you responsible for the ups and downs of the trial?
This is another piece of fiction in the movie. During these troubled moments, George, Malini and I came closer as a family. In fact all my extended family from across the globe and my friends became very supportive and warm. Nobody within my family or friends ever felt I was responsible.
Is there any guilt whatsoever when you think of Jessica?
Not at all. I'm not guilty of her death. God knows that I have done my utmost to seek justice for her - and got it!
Did Rani or Vidya try to talk to you?
No.
If Mallika of NOKJ is absolutely a false portrayal, how should we identify Bina Ramani?
Bina is a very decisive woman. A woman of character, generosity, loyalty, spontaneous and full of integrity.
What kind of relationship did you share with Jessica?
We were only acquaintances. I had once helped her with her shop at Hauz Khas Village, which opened briefly. She was a warm spirited girl, and very friendly.
How're you taking forward the legal action?
My legal team is working on it.
Did any of your friends in the fashion or social circuit try to avoid you when your name was flashed in the case? Can you name some of them?
Initially, there was a strange fall-out. It surprised me initially and then I realised what a false and hypocritical society Delhi is made up of. This resulted in a wonderful shedding of false people around me - and lightened a big burden off my psyche.
We don't see you very often at parties. Why?
There are too many valuable things to do in life than to chase the party circuit. Besides, I have had a full dose.
Are you in touch with Sabrina or her family?
I'm afraid not.
Why do you think you were not invited to the screening?
My family and I did not fit into their motivated agenda.
You could've easily said in court that you were not there when everything happened. What made you stand by truth and make sure that the culprit is brought to justice?
Why would I need to lie? I have my conscience to face at the end of the day. I believe in being true to oneself. All of us in the family value this quality highly.
Are socialites as hollow as portrayed by filmmakers?
Filmmakers tend to exaggerate every character they want to portray. Our audiences seem to be dependent on this quality of delivery. Besides they seem to only select the negative side of being a socialite. They haven't understood the larger picture.
Can you share some of the hate mails?
No they are best forgotten. I do not dwell on negativity. Besides, I have started receiving incredibly appreciative
emails and calls now that the media reports of my false portrayal have been published.
Apart from hate mails, have you also been targeted in open at the locality you live or when you go out shopping?
No, not particularly. More often than not, I get the appreciative pat on my shoulder and sometimes people want to shake my hand and congratulate me for honouring the truth.
Do you feel that people are always judging you or trying to draw conclusions about you?
That is their problem. Not mine. I don't even think about it.
What else is happening with you right now work-wise?
I'm painting. writing, singing and appreciating life in it's beautiful glory.
What makes you really happy and forget problems in life?
Music and my two adorable grandchildren and a lot of other things. It is impossible to account for now.
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