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Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty continued to bask in the warm glow of the publicity generated by the Celebrity Big Brother row yesterday as she called for fans to take a stand against racism around the world.
With meetings reportedly scheduled over the next few weeks with the Queen, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, the actress warned in an interview: "Racism exists and something needs to be done about it."
However, Shetty, who has been dubbed an "international ambassador for tolerance and understanding" by one newspaper, called for an end to the hectoring of her tormentors during the show.
She said of Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara: "It's over and done with. I feel they have had to face so much after coming out that they've learned their lesson."
"All those people who have ever been put through any kind of racist behaviour, any kind of bullying, they need to stand up for themselves. They need to do it in a way that's dignified."
The star's experiences, hurtful as they were, have provided a lucrative springboard as she prepares to resume her career, with a massively enhanced international profile.
The Daily Mirror is reported to have paid £150,000 ($430,000) for its exclusive interview with her this week, in which she expounds on topics ranging from her life story, her servants, and even her favourite recipe for chicken curry.
She is considering a six-figure offer to take part in the Indian reality show Cricket Star, and she has even floated the idea of hosting her own cookery programme. Studio bosses have been beating a path to her door with a flurry of offers.
There has also been talk of an album deal and book, plus lucrative product endorsements said to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Andrew Lloyd Webber is keen to sign her to star in a musical.
- INDEPENDENT
