Jackie loves Indian women: Mallika Sherawat
- IndiaGlitz, [Saturday,July 17 2004]
Mallika Sherawat, back from China after co-starring with Jackie Chan in an action comedy film called "The Myth", says the Hollywood action hero adores India and its women.
"Jackie loves India and I must say he loves Indian women. He is crazy for Indian girls and it goes without saying that he loves me too," Mallika told IANS.
"He is such an amazing guy! How can anyone do such dangerous stunts knowing the risks involved?" gushed the actress, adding Jackie has given her a book with a personal message on it.
"In October, we will be shooting in Hampi (in Karnataka) so I am planning to take Jackie out on an India tour then if time permits. He told me about his initial days of struggle and how much he was inspired by Bruce Lee (the Hong Kong-born kung fu exponent who popularized martial arts in Hollywood)," she said.
The "Khwahish" and "Murder" actress who loves being called hot-n-sexy said the style of shooting films in China is very similar to that in India.
"The Myth" was shot in Shanghai, where Mallika enacts the character of an Indian princess, with Jackie and Leung Ka Fai as co-stars. Production began July 2 in Shanghai, and the film is directed by Stanley Tong, who directed Jackie in films like "Rumble In The Bronx" and "The Police Story" series.
"They had their own set designer who created a beautiful Indian palace, which took me back to India. Almost! They even had their own dress designers to make the princess' costumes for me."
She was in Shanghai for 15 days to complete the first schedule. The second schedule is set for October, to be shot in India.
"Chinese people are warm and friendly. They go out of their way to help you and make you feel comfortable. Although I had a big problem in China as not many speak English, somehow I did manage a conversation.
"Sign language worked well for me. I've learnt some of their words, like 'knee how' means how are you," said the actress.
Mallika said Jackie invited her to a Formula 1 charity show, "It was great! They had invited top actors, singers and models from Southeast Asia. So it was a massive cultural exchange! Now I feel I have grown a lot as an actress."
She revealed that when Jackie came to know she was a vegetarian, he arranged for a special cook to prepare vegetarian Chinese cuisine for her.
When asked to comment on Kareena Kapoor's statement in an interview that she was earlier offered the role in Jackie's film but refused as she feels Hollywood will never offer lead roles to Indians and that Indians are not treated well, she said: "I think it is very unfair to say something like this as Jackie treated me so well and it was the best experience.
"I feel very lucky to be the first Indian actress to co-star with a big international actor like Jackie Chan."