Attends “Persona Magazine” Launch with Hip-Hop’s Russell Simmons

New York, NY—All eyes were on Bollywood bombshell Mallika Sherawat, who had a front seat to New York Fashion Week’s hottest shows and parties. Sherawat shared the spotlight with other celebrity guests at the BCBG Max Azria Spring 2010 show, and hit up Swagg Media’s Persona Magazine launch with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

The two hit the dance floor, where Sherawat’s hip-hop dance skills (something she’s been working on for her next movie, whose soundtrack combines hip-hop with Indian influences) impressed him along with several others. It wasn’t all partying, though. Sherawat and Simmons talked about bringing his Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, which takes the cultural relevance of hip-hop and uses it to drive movements in education and other concerns of the youth, to India. Simmons later said, on Twitter, “Met the most famous sex symbol/actress in India, Mallika.”

Craig Nobles, head of Swagg Media, is the music director for Sherawat’s latest venture, in which she plays a character inspired in part by San Francisco Attorney General Kamala Harris, called “the female Barack Obama” by David Letterman, one of the Oprah Winfrey Show’s “Most Powerful Women in America,” and one of The New York Times’ “most likely women to become the first female President of the United States.” Fans can also find Sherawat in her upcoming release, Hiss, costarring Irrfan Khan of Slumdog Millionaire. Directed by American filmmaker Jennifer Lynch, the project is the first from Bollywood to be represented by a major Hollywood agency (William Morris Endeavor).

Sherawat, known as the “original Bollywood bombshell,” exploded on Indian screens in 2003 in Khawish. Her role in 2004’s Murder helped the film to become India’s biggest box office hit and landed her on magazine covers around the globe. She was the first Indian actress to share the screen with Jackie Chan in The Myth, and has starred in popular films including Guru, Dasavatharam and Pyar ke Side Effects.

The West has taken notice of Sherawat’s success. She was the breakout star at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and Time Magazine’s Richard Corliss called her “the next big thing.” She also received the Diversity Award in Hollywood, and the Arts Award by the mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, Jerramiah T. Healy. Additionally she was the first Bollywood star to be recognized in Los Angeles with a Resolution in her name and honored by the mayor and the entire city council for her contributions to charity and Hollywood.  She has an avid following on Twitter (@MallikaLA), and is credited with expanding its reach in India and among Bollywood’s elite.

She was voted one of Asia’s 100 most beautiful people by the Hong Kong-based magazine Cover, and has repeatedly made the “Most Desirable” polls on AskMen.com and in Maxim. In addition to her work on the big screen, Sherawat, who holds a degree in philosophy, is an advocate for women’s issues, the environment and nutrition. She currently resides in Los Angeles, wrapping up post-production on Hisss and preparing for her upcoming American film production.

Exclusive Interview with Mallika Sherawat