Why wouldn’t I want to act in Bollywood films, says Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat may be missing from Bollywood physically but she is still connected to it in many ways. The actress was in the city last month for Salman Khan’s 50th birthday party and is now back in Los Angeles.

She also recently featured in a music video Dil Kya Kare (Did I Love You?) by New York-based singer DASU. And while most actresses are singing, she chooses not to jump on the bandwagon. Here she talks about being sterotyped, her future plans, and her disappearance from B-Town.

You have been MIA!
I haven’t really vanished anywhere. I have been shooting for Hong Kong-based writer, director and art-director Daniel Lee’s Lost Tomb in China. I play an evil sorceress. Though it’s not fun playing one in icy -10C temperature! My role is a completely evil one and I love it (laughs). There’s a lot of CGI and martial arts in it. The irony of it is that I am learning Sanskrit from a Chinese coach who is a follower of Buddhism.

You have shifted base from here. Are you still interested in acting in Hindi films?
Why wouldn’t I want to act in Bollywood films? It’s my bread and butter and made me who I am. It’s also made me very rich, especially the item songs I have done (laughs). I feel today that I have been stereotyped into the glamorous image. It’s just that at this stage, I feel I have done lots of glamorous films and item songs so right now, it’s very important to reinvent myself.

What about item songs? What’s next after Mayya Mayya, Ghaghra, Laila, Shalu Ke Thumke and Jalebi Bai?
No, I don’t want to do any more item songs. I have done enough of those and built a career from them. I have made enough money and fame from them but now it’s time to do serious parts. I love being an actor and I am very vocal and passionate about female equality and female rights. In 2014, I was invited as a Bollywood actress and activist of women’s rights to talk on equality, where I met the UN head in New York and spoke about the suffering of women in India, saying strong implementation of laws is required and men should be part of the solution to end discrimination against women. I love doing that.

Do you keep in touch with Bollywood? What recent films have you liked?
I loved Masaan, it’s fabulous that we are making such kick-ass cinema in India today. The director was phenomenal. What a story! I want to be part of a cinema that is so much more exciting. I am inspired by films like Queen, Kahani and Ishqiya and I loved Anushka’s NH10. I would love to do a movie like that. Have faith, I can can pull it off really well. I want to do films like that. But my glamourous image is so strong that it’s a big challenge to add balance to it.

You were spotted at Salman’s birthday bash recently. Any plans to work together?
(Laughs) If he wants me to work with him in a film, I will. He was kind enough to invite me to his birthday party and of course I had to go. Of course, it was a struggle to stay awake till so late (laughs) as I go to sleep early. I am very friendly with his sister Alvira. Salman’s designer is close to me too as we move around in the same gang.

Any young actor you would like to work with?
No actor, in particular. For me, it’s always been about the script and the role.

Let’s talk about your music video.
This is my first Indian music video. I have earlier shot for one for Bruno Mars’s Whatta Man (2012). I had no idea about Dil Kya Kare. I did it only for my friend Namita Premkumar. She came and told me ‘You have to do this for me please!’ I said I will do it. The song was wonderful. Thanks to my vegan lifestyle and yoga, I didn’t have to work out much. I like to act in videos as I get to play different characters. I get to play a girl-next-door in this one — it’s a fresh, romantic image and reminded me of Pyar Ke Side/Effects.

Priyanka Chopra’s journey seems similar to yours. From here to LA. Comment?
I really don’t know about that, so I can’t comment. I have not seen Quantico, but I think she’s doing extremely well as an Indian actress in Hollywood. All of us should be proud of her and what’s she achieved there. Hats off to her! We are all so proud of her.