Mallika Sherawat
Encyclopedia
Mallika Sherawat is a former Indian model
, now working as an actress in mainly Bollywood
films. Known for her bold onscreen attitude, Sherawat has been frequently featured in the media as a sex symbol
. She is one of the few Bollywood stars trying to crossover to Hollywood, with films like Hisss and Politics of Love
.
, Haryana
to a Jat
family. Mallika was born in the family of Seth Chhaju Ram
, a leading Jat philanthropist
. She was born on October 24, though the year is unknown. She adopted the screen name of "Mallika", meaning "empress", to avoid confusion with other actresses named Reema. "Sherawat" is her mother's maiden name She has stated that she uses her mother's maiden name because of the support that her mother has provided her. Although relations with her family were strained when she entered the film industry, now Sherawat's family have accepted her career choice and reconciled their relations.
Sherawat went to school at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road
. She has obtained a degree in philosophy
from Miranda House
, Delhi University. 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. 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. It has been reported that she was married for a short while to a Jet Airways pilot Captain Karan Singh Gill.
for BPL and Shahrukh Khan
for Santro. She also appeared in Nirmal Pandey
's Maar Dala and Surjit Bindrakhia
's Lak Tunoo music video. She debuted in films with a small role in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye
where she was credited as Reema Lamba.
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.
Since then, Sherawat has been known for expressing her opinions in public, as well for the reaction to some of her statements.
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
to promote the film grabbed a lot of attention with Time Magazine's Richard Corliss
calling her "the next big thing".
Her performance in the 2006 film Pyaar Ke Side Effects
, co-starring Rahul Bose
, won her praise from around the industry, and the film also did moderately well at the box office.
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. Her last release of 2007 was Welcome, which also did well at the box office receiving blockbuster status.
Her 2008 releases were Ugly Aur Pagli
and Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam
. Both films were unsuccessful at the box office.
. The film, based on the legend of Nāga
, is an independent co-production between the United States
and India. Endeavour Independent has bought the distribution rights of Hisss. Sherawat promoted the film with live snakes at the Cannes Film Festival
2010. Hisss was release in all major Indian languages on 22 October 2010.
Sherawat starred in another Hollywood film, Politics of Love
, aka Love, Barack, directed by William Dear
. 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. It was released in 2011.
Sherawat won the 2008 Renaissance Artist Award at the 16th Annual Diversity Awards held in California
. On 14 August 2009, Sherawat received a career recognition Honorary Citizenship of Los Angeles
for her career achievements and charitable efforts.
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, now working as an actress in mainly Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
films. Known for her bold onscreen attitude, Sherawat has been frequently featured in the media as a sex symbol
Sex symbol
A sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for their sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte...
. She is one of the few Bollywood stars trying to crossover to Hollywood, with films like Hisss and Politics of Love
Politics of Love
Politics of Love is a 2011 film directed by William Dear. Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and American actor Brian J...
.
Early life
Sherawat was born Reema Lamba in RohtakRohtak
Rohtak City is a Municipal Corporation in Rohtak district that styles itself as the "Heart of Haryana". It is located 70 km Northwest of New Delhi and 210 km South of the state capital Chandigarh at the NH 10...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
to a Jat
Jat people
The Jat people are a community of traditionally non-elite tillers and herders in Northern India and Pakistan. Originally pastoralists in the lower Indus river-valley of Sindh, Jats migrated north into the Punjab region in late medieval times, and subsequently into the Delhi Territory,...
family. Mallika was born in the family of Seth Chhaju Ram
Seth Chhaju Ram
Seth Chhaju Ram was a leading Jat from Haryana, India, who made a fortune in Calcutta during the colonial raj. A philanthropist, he undertook many socially relevant projects...
, a leading Jat philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. She was born on October 24, though the year is unknown. She adopted the screen name of "Mallika", meaning "empress", to avoid confusion with other actresses named Reema. "Sherawat" is her mother's maiden name She has stated that she uses her mother's maiden name because of the support that her mother has provided her. Although relations with her family were strained when she entered the film industry, now Sherawat's family have accepted her career choice and reconciled their relations.
Sherawat went to school at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road
Delhi Public School, Mathura Road
Delhi Public School, Mathura Road is a private co-educational day and boarding school in New Delhi, India. It is run by the Delhi Public School Society and is a member of the Indian Public School Conference. The school was founded in 1949 and was the first Delhi Public School...
. She has obtained a degree in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from Miranda House
Miranda House
Miranda House , is a highly renowned and distinguished constituent college for women at the University of Delhi in India. It is widely regarded as a Premier Women's Institution of Delhi University offering degrees in the Sciences and Liberal Arts . Miranda House has demonstrated academic...
, Delhi University. 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. 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. It has been reported that she was married for a short while to a Jet Airways pilot Captain Karan Singh Gill.
Career
Before entering films, Sherawat appeared in television commercials with Amitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
for BPL and Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
for Santro. She also appeared in Nirmal Pandey
Nirmal Pandey
Nirmal Pandey was an Indian Bollywood actor, who was known for his role Vikram Mallah in Shekhar Kapur's Bandit Queen , for portrayal of a transvestite in Daayraa for which he won a Best Actor Valenti award in France, Train To Pakistan and Godmother .He was supposed to watch his latest film...
's Maar Dala and Surjit Bindrakhia
Surjit Bindrakhia
Surjit Bindrakhia 15 April 1962 – 17 November 2003 was a Punjabi Bhangra singer. He was known for his hekh, in which he sings a note continuously in one breath. His hits include Dupatta Tera Satrang Da, Bas Kar Bas Kar, Tera Yaar Bolda, and Jatt Di Pasand. Surjit is considered to have one...
's Lak Tunoo music video. She debuted in films with a small role in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye
Jeena Sirf Merre Liye
Jeena Sirf Merre Liye is a 2002 Bollywood film starring Tusshar Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. It is directed by Talat Jani and produced by Vashu Bhagnani. It is a remake of 2001 Telugu movie 'Manasantha Nuvve' starring Uday kiran and Reema sen.- Synopsis :Jeena Sirf Merre Liye is...
where she was credited as Reema Lamba.
Sherawat attracted notice with her appearance in the 2003 film, Khwahish
Khwahish
Khwahish is a 2003 Indian Bollywood film directed by Govind Menon. The film stars Himanshu Malik and Mallika Sherawat in leading roles. Sherawat made her acting debut in the film. Although the film was quite racy by Indian standards, it was known for its naturalistic and realistic topic, being a...
. In 2004, she starred in Murder
Murder (film)
Murder is a 2004 Bollywood erotic thriller film directed by Anurag Basu and written by Mahesh Bhatt. The film stars Mallika Sherawat, Emraan Hashmi and Ashmit Patel and is set in Bangkok, Thailand. The film's soundtrack was composed by Anu Malik. The film draws inspiration from the 2002 Hollywood...
, a film inspired by Hollywood's Unfaithful
Unfaithful (film)
Unfaithful is a 2002 American erotic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane and Olivier Martinez. It was adapted by Alvin Sargent and William Broyles Jr. from the French film The Unfaithful Wife by the noted director Claude Chabrol...
. She received a nomination for Best Actress at the Zee Cine Awards
Zee Cine Awards
The Zee Cine Awards or "ZCA" for short is an awards ceremony for the Hindi film industry. It was first held in 1998 in Mumbai. Since then, it has gained substantial popularity as a notable awards ceremony to the Indian population as well as to the viewers of Zee Network.In 2004, the ZCA went...
for her performance in Murder. The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
Since then, Sherawat has been known for expressing her opinions in public, as well for the reaction to some of her statements.
In 2005, Sherawat acted in The Myth, a Chinese film, co-starring with Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
. 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
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
to promote the film grabbed a lot of attention with Time Magazine's Richard Corliss
Richard Corliss
Richard Nelson Corliss is a writer for Time magazine who focuses on movies, with the occasional article on music or sports. Corliss is the former editor-in-chief of Film Comment...
calling her "the next big thing".
Her performance in the 2006 film Pyaar Ke Side Effects
Pyaar Ke Side Effects
Pyaar Ke Side Effects is a Bollywood movie released in September 2006. It was produced under the banner of Pritish Nandy communications and was written and directed by first time director Saket Chaudhary. Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat played the lead cast. The film is a romantic comedy, and...
, co-starring Rahul Bose
Rahul Bose
Rahul Bose is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, social activist, and rugby union player.Bose has appeared in Hindi films such as Pyaar Ke Side Effects and Jhankaar Beats. Time magazine named him "the superstar of Indian arthouse cinema" for his work in parallel cinema films like English,...
, won her praise from around the industry, and the film also did moderately well at the box office.
Her first release in 2007 was Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
's Guru, in which she appeared in a special song, "Mayya Mayya
Mayya
"Mayya" is a popular Hindi song from the 2007 Hindi film Guru. It was composed by A. R. Rahman, performed by Maryem Toller, Chinmayee, Keerthi Sagathia and written by Gulzar. Apart from the film's soundtrack, it also appeared in the compilation album, A. R...
". She also played a guest role in Himesh Reshammiya
Himesh Reshammiya
Himesh Reshammiya is an Indian music director, composer, singer and actor.-Music and film career:Himesh Reshammiya was born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat to Vipin Reshammiya and Madhu Reshammiya. He had his first success as a music director of the 2003 film, Tere Naam...
's Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story and reportedly charged Rs. 15 million for a 10-minute appearance. Her last release of 2007 was Welcome, which also did well at the box office receiving blockbuster status.
Her 2008 releases were Ugly Aur Pagli
Ugly Aur Pagli
Ugly Aur Pagli is a 2008 Bollywood film starring Ranvir Shorey and Mallika Sherawat. It is directed by Sachin Khot and produced by Pritish Nandy...
and Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam
Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam
Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam is a 2008 film about a group of actors who attempt to prevent an underworld conspiracy from destabilising the Indian government. The film is set in 1993 after the communal riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The film stars Rahul Bose and Mallika...
. 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 LynchJennifer Lynch
Jennifer Chambers Lynch is an American film director and screenwriter, best known for writing the book The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer and for being Hollywood's youngest female writer and director with her 1993 feature film Boxing Helena. -Early life:Lynch was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,...
. The film, based on the legend of Nāga
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
, is an independent co-production between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and India. Endeavour Independent has bought the distribution rights of Hisss. Sherawat promoted the film with live snakes at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
2010. Hisss was release in all major Indian languages on 22 October 2010.
Sherawat starred in another Hollywood film, Politics of Love
Politics of Love
Politics of Love is a 2011 film directed by William Dear. Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and American actor Brian J...
, aka Love, Barack, directed by William Dear
William Dear
William Dear is a film director, producer and screenwriter known for directing Harry and the Hendersons, If Looks Could Kill, Angels in the Outfield, Wild America and Santa Who?....
. She plays Aretha Gupta, a devoted local Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
volunteer coordinator. The film is a romantic comedy set during Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's campaign for the US Presidency. First look of Love, Barack was unveiled by Sherawat at Cannes 2010. It was released in 2011.
Sherawat won the 2008 Renaissance Artist Award at the 16th Annual Diversity Awards held in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. On 14 August 2009, Sherawat received a career recognition Honorary Citizenship of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
for her career achievements and charitable efforts.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Jeena Sirf Merre Liye Jeena Sirf Merre Liye Jeena Sirf Merre Liye is a 2002 Bollywood film starring Tusshar Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. It is directed by Talat Jani and produced by Vashu Bhagnani. It is a remake of 2001 Telugu movie 'Manasantha Nuvve' starring Uday kiran and Reema sen.- Synopsis :Jeena Sirf Merre Liye is... |
Seema (Special appearance) | Credited as Reema Lamba |
| 2003 | Khwahish Khwahish Khwahish is a 2003 Indian Bollywood film directed by Govind Menon. The film stars Himanshu Malik and Mallika Sherawat in leading roles. Sherawat made her acting debut in the film. Although the film was quite racy by Indian standards, it was known for its naturalistic and realistic topic, being a... |
Lekha Khorzuvekar | |
| 2004 | Kis Kis Ki Kismat | Meena Madhok | |
| 2004 | Murder Murder (film) Murder is a 2004 Bollywood erotic thriller film directed by Anurag Basu and written by Mahesh Bhatt. The film stars Mallika Sherawat, Emraan Hashmi and Ashmit Patel and is set in Bangkok, Thailand. The film's soundtrack was composed by Anu Malik. The film draws inspiration from the 2002 Hollywood... |
Simran Saigal | |
| 2005 | Bachke Rehna Re Baba Bachke Rehna Re Baba Bachke Rehna Re Baba is a 2005 Bollywood film directed by Govind Menon, starring Rekha, Paresh Rawal, Mallika Sherawat and Satish Shah. The film's plot is inspired by the 2001 American film Heartbreakers.-Synopsis:Rukmini is well into her 40s and still unmarried... |
Padmini a.k.a. Paddu/Alka/Meera | |
| 2005 | The Myth | Indian Princess | Chinese Chinese language The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages... film |
| 2006 | Pyaar Ke Side Effects Pyaar Ke Side Effects Pyaar Ke Side Effects is a Bollywood movie released in September 2006. It was produced under the banner of Pritish Nandy communications and was written and directed by first time director Saket Chaudhary. Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat played the lead cast. The film is a romantic comedy, and... |
Trisha | |
| 2006 | Shaadi Se Pehle Shaadi Se Pehle Shaadi Se Pehle is a 2006 Bollywood film directed by Satish Kaushik and produced by Subhash Ghai... |
Sania | |
| 2006 | Darna Zaroori Hai Darna Zaroori Hai Darna Zaroori Hai is a Bollywood Anthology film released on 28 April 2006. It was considered a prequel to Darna Mana Hai which was also produced by RGV... |
Riya | |
| 2007 | Guru | Champa | Special appearance in item number Item number An item number or an item song, in Indian cinema, is a musical performance that has little to do with the film in which it appears, but is presented to showcase beautiful dancing women in very revealing clothes, to lend support to the marketability of the film... |
| 2007 | Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story | Ruby | |
| 2007 | Preeti Yeke Bhoomi melide | Special appearance in item number Kannada Kannada language Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world... film |
|
| 2007 | Welcome | Ishika | |
| 2008 | Dasavathaaram | Jasmine | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... film |
| 2008 | Ugly Aur Pagli Ugly Aur Pagli Ugly Aur Pagli is a 2008 Bollywood film starring Ranvir Shorey and Mallika Sherawat. It is directed by Sachin Khot and produced by Pritish Nandy... |
Kuhu | |
| 2008 | Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam is a 2008 film about a group of actors who attempt to prevent an underworld conspiracy from destabilising the Indian government. The film is set in 1993 after the communal riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The film stars Rahul Bose and Mallika... |
Shabnam | |
| 2010 | Hisss | Naagin | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... , Hindi Hindi Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi... crossover film |
| 2011 | Thank You Thank You (2011 film) Thank You is a 2011 Bollywood romantic comedy film directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by UTV Motion Pictures. It features Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Irrfan Khan, Celina Jaitley and Rimi Sen. The film was released on April 8, 2011. Thank You is about three married men... |
Razia | Special appearance in item number |
| 2011 | Bin Bulaye Baraati Bin Bulaye Baraati Bin Bulaye Baraati is a 2011 Indian crime film directed by Chandrakant Singh with a story and screenplay by Praful Parekh and Salim Sheikh. The film was released in India on June 17, 2011.-Background:... |
Shalu | Special appearance in item number |
| 2011 | Double Dhamaal | Kamini | |
| 2011 | Politics of Love Politics of Love Politics of Love is a 2011 film directed by William Dear. Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and American actor Brian J... |
Aretha Gupta | English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... film |
| 2011 | Osthi Osthi Osthe is an upcoming Tamil action film directed by S. Dharani, starring Silambarasan. A remake of the 2010 blockbuster Hindi film Dabangg, directed by Abhinav Singh Kashyap and written by Dileep Shukla, it will feature Githan Ramesh, Richa Gangopadhyay, Sonu Sood, reprising his role from the... |
Special appearance in item number |