Born Reema Lamba in 1976, the actress later adopted the stage name Mallika Sherawat, derived from the word for empress, to distinguish herself within the Indian film industry. Transitioning from modeling and television commercials to cinema, she became a prominent figure in Hindi-language film through performances that challenged existing norms of onscreen portrayals in Bollywood.
Early Background and Education
Raised in Moth, a village in the Hisar district of Haryana, she was born into a Jat family associated with the philanthropist Seth Chhaju Ram. Her academic path included attendance at Model School in Rohtak and the Delhi Public School on Mathura Road. She subsequently earned a degree in philosophy from Miranda House at the University of Delhi. Before her cinematic debut, she worked briefly as an air hostess and married Karan Singh Gill in 1997, a relationship that ended in divorce.
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Her initial screen appearances included a minor role in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye. She gained significant public attention with the 2003 film Khwahish, followed by the 2004 production Murder. The latter, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Zee Cine Awards, solidified her public image. She continued with roles in Pyaar Ke Side Effects, the commercially successful Welcome, and the Tamil-language film Osthe.
International Engagements and Activism
Sherawat pursued international projects, including the Chinese production The Myth with Jackie Chan and the 2016 film Time Raiders. In Hollywood, she starred in Hisss and the romantic comedy Politics of Love. Her visibility at the Cannes Film Festival became a hallmark of her promotional strategies. Beyond film, she has engaged in advocacy, discussing women's rights at the 65th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference and participating in demonstrations for the Free A Girl India NGO.
Television and Public Appearances
Her career has frequently crossed into television, notably through the 2013 reality dating series Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon ki Mallika. She also made a 2014 guest appearance on the American series Hawaii Five-0 and participated in the reality show The Traitors India in 2026. These roles supplement her early work in music videos and high-profile commercial campaigns for brands such as BPL and Hyundai.
Fast facts
- Born: 1976, Rohtak, India
- Education: Miranda House, University of Delhi
- Former Name: Reema Lamba
- Notable Film: Murder (2004)
- International Credits: The Myth, Hisss, Time Raiders
- Honorary Citizenship: Los Angeles, 14 August 2009
- Dietary Preference: Vegan
Questions readers ask
Why did she change her name from Reema Lamba?
She adopted the stage name Mallika to avoid confusion with other actresses named Reema, using Sherawat as a tribute to her mother's maiden name.
Did she appear in international films?
Yes, she appeared in Chinese productions like The Myth and Time Raiders, as well as American films including Hisss and Politics of Love.
Achievements
- Worked as actor, model and film actor
