I Turned Down 20 Films As I Didn't Want To Give Into Things I Don't Believe In: Mallika Sherawat

In a recent interview, actor Mallika Sherawat revealed that she turned down around 20 films, as she did not want to "give into things" that she didn’t "believe" in. The interview came after Sherawat slammed a Twitter user who said that the films she was a part of contributed to sexual violence against women.

I don't give in to things I don't believe in: Sherawat

Sherawat rose to fame with films such as Khwahish (2003) and Murder (2004). After her Bollywood stints, she stepped into Hollywood as well, debuting with the 2005 Chinese film The Myth alongside Jackie Chan. Hisss and Politics of Love aka Love, Barack are also some of her other Hollywood projects.

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In an interview with The Times of India, she said "I lost 20-30 movies because I didn’t give into things that I didn’t believe in. What I do as a character on screen is different from who I am in real life. I had to make the demarcation very clear from the beginning, and that cost me those movies. But I am happy that I could still get work on my terms and get a string of great opportunities." She added that nowadays, the Bollywood industry is much more 'organised' than before, and female actors are doing good films which are empowering. "It is a promising sign," she said.

Sherawat feels that gender equality can be achieved if parents teach their boys to respect girls. Furthermore, she said the financial independence of girls is very important.

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Sherawat says it's not films that promote rape, but the mentality

Sherawat was caught in controversy when a Twitter user said that it is the message she delivered through her movies  that also instigates rape cases in India. She slammed the user by tweeting that it's the people's mentality that makes the country "regressive" for women. "So the movies I act in are an invitation for rape!!! It’s mentality like yours that make Indian society regressive for women! If you hv a problem wt my movies then Don’t see them #nocountryforwomen," she tweeted.

So the movies I act in are an invitation for rape!!! It’s mentality like yours that make Indian society regressive for women! If you hv a problem wt my movies then Don’t see them #nocountryforwomen https://t.co/I5XdN7zAA6

— Mallika Sherawat (@mallikasherawat) October 7, 2020

Sherawat shared the interview saying, “The fact that we blame movies, internet,westernisation & a women's dressing sense 4something as heinous as rape& not the perpetrator and his dirty mind set,REFLECTS THE MINDSET OF THE PEOPLE” Thank you @RA2S @bombaytimes @timesofindia."

“The fact that we blame movies, internet,westernisation & a women's dressing sense 4something as heinous as rape& not the perpetrator and his dirty mind set,REFLECTS THE MINDSET OF THE PEOPLE” Thank you @RA2S @bombaytimes @timesofindia pic.twitter.com/SN6x0F0gvn

— Mallika Sherawat (@mallikasherawat) October 14, 2020

Sherawat said, "The awful truth about our culture — movies and the clothes we wear are considered an invitation for offence. That is exactly what I feel needs to change."

Sherawat who's real name is Reema Lamba was last seen in the 2019 web-series Booo Sabki Phategi.

Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV