Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) Bollywood elites don't like mingling with her, others make fun of her, but the popularity of bold and 'bindaas' Rakhi Sawant is growing by leaps and bounds.

Post Sony TV's "Bigg Boss", she managed to appear on Karan Johar's swish chat show "Koffee with Karan" and now she is doing an item number in Rakesh Roshan's "Krazy 4".

"Look at my good fortune, I've been signed by Rakesh Roshanji to do an item song in 'Krazy 4'. I had tears in my eyes when Rakesh Roshanji called," said Rakhi, who was seen in bit roles in "Chura Liya Hai Tumne" and "Mumbai Express".

Commenting upon the discrimination she faces in filmdom, Rakhi told IANS: "Earlier, I didn't get any respect from within the film industry. Now even if I do get respect it is done in a very grudging way. I'm considered a bechari.

"The heroines are specially reluctant to acknowledge my stardom. Yeah, some like Rani Mukerji, Bipasha Basu and Ayesha Takia have been kind. On the whole, I'm not given the respect I deserve."

She gives credit to the media and her hard work for her newfound fame in showbiz.

"I'm the darling of the media. I'm media-made. They felt I spoke my heart, that I was bindaas. The media shows both my good and bad deeds. Somewhere they feel I've got my act right."

Excerpts:

How does it feel to be Rakhi Sawant?

Shall I tell you something? I'm doing dance competition "Nach Baliye 3" with my boyfriend Abhishek. Today he's not as well-known as I am. Just like John Abraham and Bipasha Basu earlier. It's said John got a lot of roles because of Bipasha. I want Abhishek to become a star. I'm working on it.