“I am not Angelina for world to give me gifts” – Minissha Lamba

By Devansh Patel -

May 21, 2011 - 3:17 AM IST

So for all these years the rest of the world thought and believed in the saying 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend'. So if that's the case, Minissha Lamba would be really upset with her long lasting friend/s. It's less than 48 hours and Minissha Lamba is still fried - bheja fried for what people and the media have blown out of proportion. Even the latest Amul hoardings have taken her case, but before that it was the twittersphere that went berserk on her detention news. While some called her irresponsible, others seemed to be worried and concerned; some blamed her for false advertising while the others wanted to know the truth. Our very own Shobha De too voiced her opinion which the actress didn't take it that well. And in between all these things, a journalist like me could only pick up the phone, call Lamba and do an exclusive 'no holds barred' interview. The customs definitely must've followed the Veni, Vidi, Vici path. Don't worry Mini, we've got your back!

“I am not Angelina for world to give me gifts” – Minissha Lamba

So, you thought you could bring anything and everything with you and clearly make it through the customs?

Well, I guess you can bring whatever you want as long as your paper work is in order. That's the impression I had and I have. I feel this whole detention thing that happened was mainly because of paper work and they wanted to know that. The studded jewellery that I had was taken by me from India and brought back. It was as simple as that

And what about stories that rumoured - Minissha Lamba carried gifts from Cannes by top designers?

There was nothing that was gifted to me at Cannes. I am not Angelina Jolie that the world out there will be sitting in giving me gifts.

But weren't you even aware of the basics of bringing what and what not while entering India from the overseas?

Nothing like this has ever happened to be before. The procedure requirements were really complicated. It's not a simple procedure. I am getting conflicting advice from the customs as far as the procedure to bring jewellery is concerned. The process to declare your studded jewellery is very different from the other accessories you bring from outside India. My question is - How is a regular person suppose to know that?

And you think all this was blown out of proportion or you were basking in the limelight?

I am somewhat of a known person and that's why the limelight. If it was to happen to anyone other than me then I doubt that it would've made such a big noise. I think it's all blown out of proportion. I just feel that the rules and regulations have become a big issue. The surprising thing was that I was getting a lot of text messages and calls from various people who knew me from Cannes Film Festival too. Such are the times that controversy travels at a lightning speed.

You gave Shobha De back on Twitter....what was all that about?

What I tweeted to Shobha De was in good humour and I don't want to comment on that further. She too must've done it in a good humour I guess and everyone has the right to defend themselves on a public forum.

You must be going through hell right now after all this?

I am very strong and it takes a lot for a person to make me go through hell. There is no one to be blamed in this. Laws are complicated. Things like going a day before to the diamond plaza to get your jewellery assessed and valued. Then they seal it and stamp it and then they send the courier consignment to the mentioned address, etc. All this is very confusing. I'm sure no one knew that this is one of the procedures one has to undergo.

Let me simply put it - You are Bheja Fried and you made a joker out of Shirish for not turning up on the sets too.

(laughs) What a time to have my 'bheja' friend when I am coming up with Bheja Fry 2. Plus, I didn't make a joker out of Shirish and the news of me landing on the sets of Joker was untrue. I had to land up on the sets after two days post my Cannes visit. I am shooting tonight with Shirish.

So, lesson learnt?

But yes, lesson learnt that I need to buy a customs act book and need to go through the whole thing. I hope no one goes through what I have gone through.

And some good talk now. How was your experience at the Cannes Film Festival?

My experience at the Cannes Film Festival was exciting. It was beautiful. It was the most professionally organised film festival in the world. I would be in awe of how such a thing can be even possible. You need to be dressed up in your evening dress. No casuals allowed. Only formals. You have to be presentable and professional. I love that formality. Even if we had to go for a regular screening, you still have to be looking dapper. I hope that our entertainment industry and our law and order too are such well organised."