Last Updated:
Mallika Sherawat is known for her bold roles and dynamic performances in Bollywood films. She gained prominence with her breakout film, ‘Murder’, and has since starred in various successful movies.
Mallika Sherawat turns 48 today on October 24. (Image: mallikasherawat/Instagram)
Mallika Sherawat has always made headlines, be it for her bold on-screen roles, appearances in Hollywood or striking looks at Cannes. Born on October 24, 1976, in Hisar, Haryana, she began her journey in entertainment with TV commercials and music videos like Lak Tunoo. She made her Bollywood debut in 2002, but it was her breakthrough role in Murder that truly put her on the map. With memorable performances in films like Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Shaadi Se Pehle and Welcome, she quickly rose to stardom.
Sherawat is also recognised for her work in international cinema and her advocacy for women’s rights. With a distinctive style and a strong screen presence, she remains a notable figure in the Indian film industry.
As Mallika celebrates her 48th birthday, let’s dive into her top 10 films, upcoming projects, iconic dance numbers and her thoughts on Bollywood.
Mallika Sherawat’s Top 10 Films
- Jeena Sirf Mere Liye (2002)The debut film of Mallika Sherawat featured her alongside Tusshar Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor who played childhood friends turned into lovers. It was directed by Talat Jani.
- Khwahish (2003)In this tragic love story, Mallika Sherawat played Lekha opposite Himanshu Malik. Malik’s character, a rich and stubborn man, falls in love with her, leading to an interesting plot.
- Murder (2004)The erotic thriller saw Mallika Sherawat delivering her breakthrough performance as Simran Sehgal. Emraan Hashmi as Sunny Deva and Ashmit Patel as Sudhir Sehgal also gave an impressive performance, making it a superhit among fans.
- Welcome (2007)The film was a monstrous hit at the box office – thanks to the impeccable comic timing of Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Nana Patekar. Mallika’s character in the film crashes Rajiv’s (Akshay) wedding with Katrina’s Sanjana, claiming that she was already married to him.
- Ugly Aur Pagli (2008)The comedy film explores the story of an engineering student’s life after he meets a girl on a train. The film was loosely inspired by the Korean movie The Sassy Girl.
- Shadi Se Pehle (2006)In this romantic comedy, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia and Aftab Shivdasani along with Mallika were seen in lead roles. Akshaye plays Ashish who lies to his fiancée Rani (Ayesha) after discovering that he has cancer.
- Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006)Mallika Sherawat’s romantic drama with Rahul Bose earned the actress praises for her performance. However, the film earned more for its songs.
- Double Dhamaal (2011)It was a sequel to the 2007 film Dhamaal. Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Dutt, Ritesh Deshmukh, Aashish Chaudhary and Javed Jaffrey were seen reprising their roles from the original, with Mallika and Kangana Ranaut joining them for an intriguing plot.
- Myth (2005)The international film marked Mallika Sherawat’s collaboration with Jackie Chan and performed well at the box office. In the Chinese film, Mallika played Samantha, the niece of the legendary master of Kalaripayattu. It is a form of Indian martial art.
- Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video (2024)The film marked Mallika Sherawat’s return to Bollywood after years. Starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, the film garnered a positive response from fans for its cast, storyline and music.
Mallika Sherawat’s Dance Numbers
- Mayya (Guru)Fans loved it when Mallika Sherawat channelled her inner Arabian goddess in this song. Her beaded and detailed outfit further accentuated Sherawat’s every move as she tempted the crowd with the dance number.
- Jalebi Bai (Double Dhamaal)The item song Jalebi Bai, immediately upon its release, emerged as a dance floor favourite! Wearing fusion costumes and matching accessories, she totally nailed it in the fiery composition and her signature step is sure to make your hearts skip a beat.
- Laila (Tezz)Grooving with vampires and sparkles as she moves inthis song that features a choreography perfectly highlighting Mallika’s dancing abilities. She kept it raw with her expressions, proving her growth as an actress.
- Shalu Ke Thumke (Bin Bulaye Baraati)No one can match the on-screen sizzle that Mallika brings with her inner charm and confidence. When coupled with beautiful costumes and choreography, the actress elevates the scene to a whole new level.
- Ghaghara (Dirty Politics)In the music video, Mallika wins hearts with her captivating moves, dancing under fireworks. Dressed in bright hues, she truly mesmerised hearts with her impressive hook step and quirky expressions.
Mallika Sherawat’s Thoughts On Bollywood And Fame
Mallika Sherawat is also known for her outspoken nature and never shying away from sharing her views on a variety of topics, including Bollywood and the nature of fame. Whether discussing the challenges she’s faced in the industry or reflecting on her journey, Mallika’s candidness has kept her in the spotlight just as much as her bold roles and iconic dance numbers.
Her unfiltered opinions have made her both a beloved and controversial figure in the world of cinema.
Mallika On Criticism After Bold Roles In Murder
In a recent interaction with Ranveer Allahbadia, the actress shared how her performance in Murder invited her criticism in Bollywood. She said, “They were very condescending to me on my face. There are a few very big actresses, whose name I won’t take, but they were all condescending to me on my face. The culture wasn’t ready for me back then, and it wasn’t ready for Murdereither. Only now has Bollywood caught up to where I was in 2004.”
Mallika On Stardom And Fame
In the same interaction, Mallika Sherawat also opened up on the economic independence that she gained after her rise in Bollywood. She noted, “Murder gave me stardom, but most importantly, it gave me economic independence. For me, winning awards was never the goal. What mattered was being able to live life on my own terms and make decisions, regardless of whether they were right or wrong. Fame is just a byproduct.”
Mallika On Losing Projects In Bollywood
In an interview for a media portal in 2018, Mallika shared how she lost multiple projects in Bollywood. Stating the reason, she said, “I was thrown out of projects because heroes would say ‘why can’t you be intimate with me? You can do it on screen, what’s the problem in doing that with me in private?’ I’ve lost so many projects. It’s very reflective of the society, what women deal with in our country.”
As for her upcoming projects, Mallika Sherawat is currently exploring new opportunities and is busy reading scripts for her next venture. However, she has not yet signed any film or web series. Her selective approach suggests that she’s on the lookout for roles that resonate with her evolving career choices.
