Mallika Sherawat (Hindi: मल्लिका शेरावत, born Reema Lamba) (born 24 October, 1976) is a former Indian model, now working as an actress in mainly Bollywood films. Known for her bold onscreen attitude,[1] Sherawat has been frequently featured in the media as a sex symbol.[2] She is one of the few Bollywood stars trying to crossover to Hollywood,[3][4] with films like Hisss and Politics of Love.[5]
Early life
Sherawat was born Reema Lamba in Rohtak, Haryana to a Jat family.[6] Mallika was born in the family of Seth Chhaju Ram, a leading Jat philanthropist.[7] She was born on October 24, though the year is unknown.[8] She adopted the screen name of "Mallika", meaning "empress", to avoid confusion with other actresses named Reema.[9] "Sherawat" is her mother's maiden name[8] She has stated that she uses her mother's maiden name because of the support that her mother has provided her.[9] Although relations with her family were strained when she entered the film industry,[10] now Sherawat's family have accepted her career choice and reconciled their relations.[7]
Sherawat went to school at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road.[11] She has obtained a degree in philosophy from Miranda House, Delhi University.[12] During the initial days of her career, she claimed to have come from a very conservative small town family, and that she faced many hurdles from her family in pursuing her career.[13] However, Mallika's family has refuted this as a story created by her to give her an aura of a small town rustic girl who made it big in Bollywood.[10] It has been reported that she was married for a short while to a Jet Airways pilot Captain Karan Singh Gill.[10]
Career
Before entering films, Sherawat appeared in television commercials with Amitabh Bachchan for BPL and Shahrukh Khan for Santro.[14] She also appeared in Nirmal Pandey's Maar Dala and Surjit Bindrakhia's Lak Tunoo music video.[15] She debuted in films with a small role in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye where she was credited as Reema Lamba.[16]
Sherawat attracted notice with her appearance in the 2003 film, Khwahish. In 2004, she starred in Murder, a film inspired by Hollywood's Unfaithful. She received a nomination for Best Actress at the Zee Cine Awards for her performance in Murder. The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.[17]
Since then, Sherawat has been known for expressing her opinions in public, as well for the reaction to some of her statements.[18]
In 2005, Sherawat acted in The Myth, a Chinese film, co-starring with Jackie Chan. She played the role of an Indian princess who falls in love and is rescued by Jackie. The Myth was her first International film. Her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival[19] to promote the film grabbed a lot of attention with Time Magazine's Richard Corliss calling her "the next big thing".[20]
Her performance in the 2006 film Pyaar Ke Side Effects, co-starring Rahul Bose, won her praise from around the industry,[21] and the film also did moderately well at the box office.[22]
Her first release in 2007 was Mani Ratnam's Guru, in which she appeared in a special song, "Mayya Mayya". She also played a guest role in Himesh Reshammiya's Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story and reportedly charged Rs. 15 million for a 10-minute appearance.[23] Her last release of 2007 was Welcome, which also did well at the box office receiving blockbuster status.[24]
Her 2008 releases were Ugly Aur Pagli and Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam. Both films were unsuccessful at the box office.
Hollywood
In 2009, Sherawat starred in a Hollywood film named Hisss, co-starring Irrfan Khan and directed by Jennifer Lynch. The film, based on the legend of Nāga, is an independent co-production between the United States and India.[3] Endeavour Independent has bought the distribution rights of Hisss.[25] Sherawat promoted the film with live snakes at the Cannes Film Festival 2010.[26] Hisss was release in all major Indian languages on 22 October 2010.[27]
Sherawat starred in another Hollywood film, Politics of Love, aka Love, Barack, directed by William Dear.[28] She plays Aretha Gupta, a devoted local Obama volunteer coordinator. The film is a romantic comedy set during Barack Obama's campaign for the US Presidency. First look of Love, Barack was unveiled by Sherawat at Cannes 2010.[29] It was released in 2011.
Sherawat won the 2008 Renaissance Artist Award at the 16th Annual Diversity Awards held in California.[30] On 14 August 2009, Sherawat received a career recognition Honorary Citizenship of Los Angeles for her career achievements and charitable efforts.[31]
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes
2002 Jeena Sirf Merre Liye Seema (Special appearance) Credited as Reema Lamba
2003 Khwahish Lekha Khorzuvekar
2004 Kis Kis Ki Kismat Meena Madhok
2004 Murder Simran Saigal
2005 Bachke Rehna Re Baba Padmini a.k.a. Paddu/Alka/Meera
2005 The Myth Indian Princess Chinese film
2006 Pyaar Ke Side Effects Trisha
2006 Shaadi Se Pehle Sania
2006 Darna Zaroori Hai Riya
2007 Guru Champa Special appearance in item number
2007 Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story Ruby
2007 Preeti Yeke Bhoomi melide Special appearance in item number
Kannada film
2007 Welcome Ishika
2008 Dasavathaaram Jasmine Tamil film
2008 Ugly Aur Pagli Kuhu
2008 Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam Shabnam
2010 Hisss Naagin English, Hindi crossover film
2011 Politics of Love[32] Aretha Gupta English, in post production
2011 Double Dhamaal Kamini
2011 Thank You[33] Razia Special appearance in item number
2011 Bin Bulaye Baarati Shalu Special appearance in item number
2011 Osthi Special appearance in item number
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