She has been labelled the sex symbol of silver screen after movies like Khwahish and Murder. Now, the glamdoll is all set to sizzle on the telly with a reality show The Bachelorette India, based on a US format. At a Press conference held in Mumbai to announce the launch of this show, Mallika Sherawat talked to SANGEETA YADAV about her life’s journey so far
She sits pretty on a bench while a slew of men come to her with gifts. One even goes on to hug her while the other holds her hand as she sheds a tear or two. This is just one of the promos where Mallika Sherawat plays the bachelorette in a reality show on like OK that goes in air from tomorrow. While this may not be the first of its kind of show where a woman is being wooed by many men — Ratan Rajput Ka Swayamvar being a case in point, this one is based on the international format of The Bachelor, an American reality television dating game show.
Even though many question the authenticity of such shows, it doesn’t stop people from wanting to watch the ins and outs of a celebrity’s life, the spice, the high drama and the entertainment it provides. In that sense, The Bachelorette India will take the viewers into Sherawat’s journey to find a perfect date partner.
“This show has been a rollercoaster ride for me with lots of fun. It’s not a made-up show but my real life journey in search of a perfect and romantic partner. I consider myself lucky that 30 men will be fighting for me and will make me feel wanted. There are going to be fights, politics, cut-through competition and love on the show,” Sherawat says, adding that in this journey, she had the best date of her life at Taj lake Palace, Udaipur, with Vijay, one of the contestants.
“He sang romantic numbers and took me into his arms. But not all was fun when we had to eliminate a contestant,” Sherawat tells you . But her best moment in life still is meeting US President Barack Obama over a cup of coffee.
But why Sherawat for this showIJ “We wanted a person who is well recognised by those who watch TV and has oomph. Sherawat fits the bill. The show is not just about 30 men wanting to woo her, it will talk about her life, family and aspirations. We wanted to have a special show for the festive season and one with a love-reality angle to it is just perfect,” Ajit Thakur, general manager, life OK, says.
Though Sherawat may have carved a niche for herself in this glamour world, she feels she has become typecast and in that context the glamour quotient has worked against her on the personal and professional fronts. “That’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t get into a serious relationship. The glamour world is fake. It has made me lonely. I want to live a common person’s life and not a celebrity’s. I want to be free now. I have earned a name for myself and money, all I need is a genuine person who can love me. I definitely don’t want him to be from the entertainment industry. If my soulmate belongs to a middle class family, I will prefer to spend my life with him instead of looking for a billionaire,” Sherawat says.
It appears that she may get her wish after all since around 1.27 lakh entries were received for this show. “Of the total entries we got, our production team selected 30 after a series of interviews and other tests,” Pratik Seal, head, marketing, life OK, says.
One can get a sneak peak into what the show entails with Sherawat talking about how the men — be it a father, brother or a life partner — play an important role in shaping a girl’s life and that the same has happened with her as well.
After her father disowned her, she doesn’t reveal why — though she says it was the saddest phase in her life — her brother has been a big support system for her. As part of her life’s journey, her family will also be apart of the show.
One man she would like to go on a date withIJ “Narendra Modi. He is very gutsy and courageous. I relate to his views though I will never like to join politics,” this bachelorette says.
The toughest challenge that the industry poses is how stay at the top position. “To get a break in this industry is easy but maintaining top spot without any support is very difficult. I have been away from Bollywood because I was not getting good scripts. I don’t want to do glamourous roles. I want to take up challenging roles. My next film — Dirty Politics — based on the life of Bhanwari Devi is a very promising project,” Sherawat concludes.
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It’s the first time I am singing a romantic number Aaoo naa which is the title track for The Bachelorette India. The track has a fun element in it. When my father was composing the song, I liked it very much and he gave me a chance to sing it. My voice clicked for Mallika. My father pampers me at home but at the studio, he is a professional. The opportunity that I have been given is great. I have never sung a romantic song before. Earlier, I had lent my voice to the Talli song for Mallika. I have sung some dance numbers too
— Composer Anu Malik’s daughter Anmoll
When I presented the scratch version of the song to Ajit Thakur, he loved it. But I didn’t tell them that it was sung by Anmoll. It was only when they praised the singer I told them it was my daughter. They couldn’t believe it. I believe in making a good song and delivering it well. I want to take my songs to a different level. I’m a tough task master and when in the studio, I don’t bring relationships in. I just give the beat and the lyrics and let the singer weave his/her magic. What I like about Anmoll is that she wants things to be perfect
— Anu Mallik