"I Don't Take Favours, Why Misuse My Name"

Why did you have to bring out a public notice to distance yourself from your family?
People have been misusing my name. It has been happening for some time with relatives and friends. I did talk to them about this. But things reached a point when I realised that I would have to do something about it before things got out of hand. I wanted to start with my closest relatives and send out this very clear message that no favours should be done in my name.

I am with Priyanka because we both care for each other. And nothing else. I am not here for any favours. Everyone must understand this. I have known Priyanka for long. I like her for herself and not for what she can provide me.

Hasn’t all this upset your family?
Some people may take it badly. But why should my name be misused? I will not stand for that, no matter what the relationship. The favours are asked in my name—I become the bad person here. And I don’t take any favours. If there is a queue to buy a railway ticket, I stand in the line.

One has heard of your family asking for school admissions, etc. But surely something bigger must have prompted the notice?
Obviously it’s not the small things. It’s bigger issues that have been brought to my notice.

There is speculation that Richard may be implicated in some scandal. Is this is a pre-emptive step?
Some people have been helping him with an ulterior motive and they will be sorry for that. They cannot reach me through him. When people come to me for favours, I immediately say no. I mind my own business. It’s not a large one. But it helps me make ends meet and I have a happy life. That’s what it’s all about. Now, after this advertisement, people who approach them (relatives) will stop doing so. All this will stop. It’s not just my relatives, it’s also people who think they can get to me, and Priyanka. And that’s not going to happen. In the long run, this advertisement was a smart idea. It’s better to act now before anyone is hurt. Before we are sued or something. We are not in that predicament now. But that’s because I have put a stop to it.

Did Sonia Gandhi ask you to take out this advertisement?
No one prompted me. When people tell me, aapka kaam ho raha hai (your work is being done), I don’t know what they are talking about. I ask them immediately, "mere ko abhi batao kya kaam ho raha hai (tell me straightaway what work of mine is being done)?" And I tell them to stop it. I want no work done. It repulses me. But both in Moradabad or Delhi, people ask me for favours. I say no but they say, "aapko sirf ek phone karna padega (you just have to make one call)." It’s embarrassing to say no to small favours. But where does all this stop? So just stay out, so no finger can be pointed at you.

What is Richard involved in?
I don’t know the nitty gritty. But some important people have told me that they have met my brother. I’ve told them, band karo (put a stop to it), whatever you are doing. It’s without my consent. I married into this family and I respect that. Why should I say "admission kara do"? Who am I to say this? That is what I am trying to say through the advertisement. We (Vadras) are just associated with the family.

Are you planning to join politics?
I’ve no intention of joining politics. I don’t talk about politics... I go to the gym, meet people there, even from the media, and we bond. But I never talk politics. I can give you tips on workout But I clam up after that!