Mallika Sherawat (born Reema Lamba; 24 October 1976) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi language films. She came to prominence in the early 2000s with bold onscreen portrayals in Khwahish (2003) and Murder (2004), and is regarded as a sex symbol in Bollywood. In addition to her work in Indian cinema, she has appeared in Chinese and American productions, making her one of the few Bollywood actors of her generation to attempt a crossover to international cinema.
| Birth name | Reema Lamba |
|---|---|
| Stage name | Mallika Sherawat |
| Date of birth | 24 October 1976 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Primary industry | Hindi cinema (Bollywood) |
| Other industries | Chinese cinema, American cinema, Tamil cinema |
| Notable films | Khwahish, Murder, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Welcome, Dasavathaaram |
Born Reema Lamba on 24 October 1976, the actress later adopted the screen name Mallika Sherawat for her work in films. She built her career largely in Hindi cinema before extending her work to other film industries.
Sherawat drew widespread attention for her performances in Khwahish (2003) and the erotic thriller Murder (2004), both of which featured bold onscreen portrayals that became central to her public image. She is also recognised for appearing in a number of popular item numbers in Hindi films.
Her role in the romantic comedy Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006) was well received by audiences and critics. She followed this with appearances in Aap Ka Suroor and Welcome (both 2007). In 2008, she featured in the Tamil-language film Dasavathaaram, which became her biggest commercial success. She continued in mainstream Hindi comedy with Double Dhamaal (2011).
Sherawat has appeared in two Chinese films, The Myth (2005) and Time Raiders (2016). She was among the few Bollywood actors of her time to attempt a crossover to Hollywood, with films such as Hisss (2010) and Politics of Love (2011).
Sherawat is widely associated with the introduction of more overtly bold female roles in mainstream Hindi cinema in the 2000s. Her image as a sex symbol, established through Khwahish and Murder, made her a notable figure in popular discussions about onscreen depictions of female sexuality in Bollywood. Her appearances in Chinese-language productions and Hollywood-backed films also place her among a small group of Indian actors who pursued international film projects during that period.