Islamabad: Controverial Pakistani film actress Veena Malik has been a thorn in the side of conservative circles in her homeland over what they consider her immoral exposure of physical charm. But many also admire her for standing up to her opponents and valiantly defending her conduct.

Malik was born on February 26, 1984 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi adjacent to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Coming from a conservative Muslim family, Malik faced difficulties at the beginning of her career. Her father and close ones opposed her entry into show business.

Before starting her career as an actress, Malik worked as a comedian for several television shows. She made her acting debut in 2000 in the film Tere Pyar Mein, which was a box office hit. Later, she appeared in a number of Punjabi language films.

A milestone for her was when in October 2010, she appeared in the Indian television reality show Bigg Boss Season 4. She was evicted two weeks before the finals, and was one of the final six contestants out of the original 14 who had participated.

In February 2011, Veena Malik became part of the Cricket World Cup reality show in Delhi, India, called “Big Toss.”

In March 2011, Malik engaged in a passionate debate with a Pakistani mufti over her role in Bigg Boss, even though the religious luminary admitted to not having watched the show.

The actress got married in December last year and delivered a boy in September this year.

While Malik’s Lollywood and Bollywood appearances brought her into the limelight, a programme on Pakistan’s Geo TV earlier this year led to her prosecution and conviction in absentia.

While the channel apologised through its English and Urdu newspapers and TV, it wasn’t enough. Jail sentences were meted out and fines imposed, with the judgement saying profanity had been committed.

However, they can appeal to the regional high court in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Later in the day, an emotionally-wrought Veena Malik also urged her fans to watch the youtube clip of the show that is allegedly blasphemous before condemning her.

“I am not Veena Malik, a woman any more. I am a mother to a two-month-old baby and a wife. I would surely want the common people who read the news to watch the clip. I was a guest on the show along with my husband and I was just seated in a respectable manner. I was not the one controlling the content of the show or its editing,” said Malik, adding that the religious song that was played in the background was not under her control. She also felt that such a verdict is an attempt to tarnish her image. She claims that such a sentence would undo years of good work such as helping the earthquake victims towards her native country.

“How could they pass a judgement against a woman who just delivered a baby through C-section? I dreamt of building a hospital in Pakistan and do other good work. This sentence is ridiculous and I am innocent. I feel emotionally broken.”

- with inputs from Manjusha Radhakrishnan.