Vindu Dara Singh: I don’t understand why betting can’t be legalised

As IPL got mired in controversy and its future became seemingly bleak, post the Justice Lodha panel’s recent verdict one person remained stoically absent from the centre of the storm. Actor Vindu Dara Singh— embroiled in the muck of being an active conduit/conspirator of the fixing syndicate— was hibernating in Siberia, Russia, with his wife Dina Umarova and other family members.
Amidst speculation that Vindu has probably left India, we contacted him in Novosibirsk—a Russian city. He clarified that he’s visiting his in-laws, and that rumour mongers don’t affect him. “I am back in India next month. Who says I am running away? This is ridiculous,” said Vindu. Hearing news about Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and others (total of 36 people involved) being discharged by the Delhi court in the IPL spot fixing case, Vindu now hopes that his case, which is up for hearing in Mumbai, might have a positive outcome. “I have my fingers crossed, but this is a very positive verdict.”
In such a crucial time, you are out of country. Did you deliberately leave the country at this time to avoid all this?
No. My plan to visit Russia was long pending. And it’s my personal choice. There’s nothing fishy about it as I am regularly in touch with everyone back home. I am back in India next month.
What’s going on in Russia?
Nothing. It’s a family vacation where I am with my wife, daughter Amelia and others. Basically it’s a reunion where I am doing everything Russian, from visiting the farms to meeting new people, to eating authentic Russian cuisine. I am sure when I come back I will miss the Russian hospitality and the steaming morning chai, served with bublik (Russian munchies).
Has your enthusiasm for cricket died? Your passion doesn’t show up anymore…
The day I faced trial and went to jail, I decided to snap all ties with cricket. So yes, you can say I have nothing to do with this game anymore. I hate talking about cricket now. I loved the game with all my heart and played for school too but now will never watch a single ball.
READ: I've paid the price of being too friendly: Vindu Dara Singh
With what has happened (match fixing), don’t you think it has diminished the charm of cricket? We also read reports that you were in ACU (anti corruption unit) radar after 2011 World Cup.
Certainly it has. But I don’t understand why betting can’t be legalised. People do it for fun, like I did, but what did I get out of it? I am being branded as a fixer, conduit etc etc. It really pains me to hear such things. No, I wasn’t doing any wrong apart from just placing a bet. For my plain bets if ICC wants to hold me culprit, then have nothing more to say. They (ICC) never questioned or contacted me.
Betting is allowed all over the world except India. The government must legalise it, as it will be a source to earn taxes.
So what have you been up to in India? You have often said that your wife supported you to the hilt in the worst times…
I have been busy with the Punjabi play 'Hello Darling'. Soon we will be taking it to the other cities of India as well as abroad. Dina has been a great support. Even when I was in the jail and was going through the tormenting time, she used to just tell me to stay calm as this bad time is for a short while. I am really lucky to have a partner like her.
While Sreesanth, Chavan, Chandila and others are exonerated, the Lodha Panel has suspended two IPL teams-- Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. How do you react to this?
I am not going to say anything about the verdict as it's a court matter. But IPL without MS Dhoni is like Eid without a Salman Khan film.
Want to know more about Vindu Dara Singh? The actor has made appearances in films and television and says that he would like to be a big-screen baddie. The actor is also known to be big-hearted. Vindu had hosted a party for Bigg Boss Halla Bol winner Gautam Gulati at a local do in Mumbai early this year.
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