India FM

Mumbai, Mar 28: Okay, we all know that Mallika Sherawat has signed an international project called Unveiled. But the talk within the industry is that the actor is uprooting herself from Mumbai and planting herself in the West. In other words, she's looking for a career in English/international movies.

"What's wrong in going global?" Mallika starts the conversation defending her act, "It's important to explore newer horizons. Why confine oneself to one place? Don't cricketers compete on a global platform? So why shouldn't actors?"

The rumors [quitting Hindi movies] are true? "I am not quitting Bollywood. I owe my name, fame, everything to Hindi movies. It has given me tremendous respect, something I cannot deny. But at the same time, I am in no mood to accept itsy-bitsy roles in Hindi films. Why should I? Give me roles of substance and I wouldn't complain. Didn't I accept Pyaar Ke Side/Effects with a new director [Saket Chaudhary]? My next film [Fauj Mein Mauj] is not a multi-crore film again. The script has to be tempting, otherwise I am not interested," she speaks her mind.

So what made her accept a miniscule part in The Myth? "I am glad people missed me in The Myth. Agreed, I had a small part in the film, but I wish to ask one pertinent question. How many actors have had the privilege of doing a 10 second role with Jackie Chan? How come no one writes about that?" Mallika breathes fire.

Please continue. "Let's look at it this way," Mallika explains, "The film took me to Cannes, then to Toronto. And it's because of The Myth that I bagged my second international project. The Myth has only benefited me."

So what's in store next? "Bollywood is my bread and butter and I cannot think of quitting it. Like I said, I want to concentrate on quality stuff henceforth. I am trying hard, but the opportunities are limited. But I am glad films like Khosla Ka Ghosla and Pyaar Ke Side/Effects have worked at the box-office. These films have so much to offer to actors," she smiles.

If that's the case, what made her accept an item song in Guru? "That's a tricky question. Sometimes, you do succumb to greed. You need to strike the right balance between art and commerce. Besides, Guru was a Mani Ratnam film. He's one of my favorites," she says.

Who's on her wish-list then? "I'd love to work with Martin Scorscese. Also Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu [Babel]. On home turf, it's a dream to work with Mani Ratnam, Karan Johar, Farhan Akhtar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I love their cinema," Mallika states.