Was Mallika's pricey attitude really responsible for her being shown the door in Mukesh Bhatt's "Gangster"? Or did it have anything to do with her role in the film?

Apparently, Mallika demanded a price in the one crore (10 million) rupees bracket that upset Bhatt, the film's producer. On the other hand, director Anurag Basu was heard saying that she had become too big for her boots and had put on airs after her return from the Cannes film festival.

While Mallika has been maintaining a guarded silence on this and other developments pertaining to her career, her close friend and mentor Govind Menon insists that price has never been an issue with Mallika.

"From what I know of her, Mallika's greatest concern is the story, script and her role in the film. Right now she is very keen on re-inventing herself as an actor, which is why she is opting for diverse roles," says Menon, who last worked with her in "Bachke Rehna Re Baba".

Menon adds that Mallika is firm about what she likes and dislikes and does not hesitate in expressing her opinion. "She is one of the few actresses who are honest to the core and doesn't believe in putting up an act."

A story doing the rounds of cinedom says Mallika is beginning a new innings under filmmaker Subhash Ghai's banner, and that her role in the film is shades apart from the sex-bomb image she has come to acquire after "Khwahish" and "Murder".

In fact, Satish Kaushik, who'll direct the film for Subhash Ghai, had recently revealed that her body language would be completely different in the film.

Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that whatever Mallika does makes news, irrespective of her track record.

Says Menon, "I call her the 'limelight moth'. She is the kind who never seeks attention but gets it nevertheless. Even her earrings make news. In that respect, anyone who associates or disassociates with her, also gets publicity for his film."