January 30, 2007	Tuesday	Muharram 10, 1428

LONDON, Jan 29: Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty won the “Celebrity Big Brother” reality television show in Britain, earning praise on Monday for the graceful way she endured allegedly racist bullying.

With 63 per cent of viewers' votes, Shetty beat five other finalists on Sunday at the end of a four-week programme, in which the activities of celebrities living in a studio house were televised round the clock by the Channel Four broadcaster.

Upon hearing the news, she screamed “Are you kidding me?” and shouted “Thank you!” repeatedly to the large crowd outside the house as she left after 26 days inside.

“It's truly been quite a rollercoaster ride,” the 31-year-old Indian actress said.

“The highs, the lows, and each one of them have really, really taught me so much.” Back in her hometown of Mumbai and across India, her triumph dominated television network news and website talks.

The series, her conduct, victory and above all the massive publicity boost the race row afforded have turned the widely unknown Shilpa into a big name in Britain.

But Bollywood trade analysts said that while the show would open up international opportunities, it may not revive her sagging Bollywood career.

Public relations guru Max Clifford, who is set to take control of Shilpa's career in Britain, told the domestic Press Association news agency: “She certainly has a great deal of offers already on the table.

“What we now have to discuss is exactly what she wants to do. The emphasis will certainly be on quality rather than quantity but there is interest from television and film.”

Among the comments made in the house two weeks ago that kicked up an international storm, Shetty was called a “dog” and asked whether she lives in a shack, prompting protestors in India to burn effigies of the show's producers.

British lawmakers condemned the programme when the row was at its height, while Indian officials urged their British counterparts to intervene. Britain's broadcasting watchdog was showered with more than 40,000 complaints.

The row also overshadowed a visit to India by Britain's finance minister and likely future prime minister, Gordon Brown.

The Sun, Britain's biggest-selling tabloid, declared on its front page that “Shilpa's changed the UK”, saying that “the Indian actress looks set to become the nation's sweetheart after she dealt with racism and bullying with good grace and humour.”

Shetty was told of the furore beyond the garden fence for the first time, but said: “I just want to put one thing at rest: things happened, and people make mistakes.”

Shown footage for the first time of comments made behind her back, she said: “It was ghastly. But now I just want to move forward in life.” Her main perceived tormentor, Jade Goody, was evicted by an overwhelming public vote days after the controversy erupted.

The actress defended Goody, however, saying: “Jade really didn't mean to be racist. I can say that for sure ... She's not a racist.”—AFP