In The Myth, Jackie
Chan reteams with his Supercop director, Stanley
Tong, for another adventure-filled action flick (no
release date has been set as of yet), in which Chan is
expected to yet again wow audiences with his
larger-than-life stunts. Given Chan's international
status, it's not surprising that when Mallika Sherawat
was chosen to act opposite the Hong Kong native, the
Indian press went wild. Sherawat, taking a break after
shooting in Shanghai, reflects on her experiences, and
the nudity rumors that surround her.
What is
'The Myth' all about? The film has Jackie Chan
playing two roles. He acts as an archaeologist in one
role. In the other he plays a military commander in the
dynasty of the 3rd century BC. I am playing an Indian princess whom
Jackie falls in love with and how the mystery unfolds
and how he saves her.
What was your first
reaction on getting the role? When the call came
to me stating that I have been selected to do a film
[with] Jackie Chan, my first reaction was, "Wow! I will
be a heroine of Jackie Chan's film". After a while, I
could not believe it. I kept pinching myself. It all
happened so suddenly. There were travel plans to be
made, tickets to be done. I left immediately. I called
up my brother Vikram and told him this good news.
Who brought the offer? The offer came
to me from Stanley Tong, director of the film. He met me
in Mumbai and liked me instantly. He said he had seen
Murder and liked my performance. He had given me
a narration and told me what my character would be like.
I got the bound script when I landed in Shanghai.
Then? When I landed in Shanghai, I was
nervous and excited to meet Jackie. I grew up on his
movies. I had seen him for so long. I never believed
that I would act in his film one day. It was going to be
one of the best moments in my life. He was there in
Shanghai to welcome me, and he said, "Mallika, welcome
to Shanghai!" He was a thorough professional, and so was
I.
Your stunts in the film are being talked
about? I am a very physically fit girl, but this
was a totally different level of fitness. My whole body
is aching till now. Jackie does all his stunts on his
own. I am quite surprised at myself that I did them. I
was very scared initially. But Jackie and Stanley were
very encouraging and they told me to give it a try.
Eventually, I did all of them on my own. It's a typical
Jackie Chan flick - bad guys chasing girls, plenty of
kicks, jumps, adrenaline-filled action sequences. Stunt
coordinator Richard trained me for a week. I found it
easier because I have yoga and dancing background.
Your opinion on Chan? Jackie is the
master of action comedy. He has greatly been influenced
by Bruce Lee and Charlie Chaplin. Working with him was
growth for me as an actress.
Differences you
noticed while doing a foreign film? This was not
a musical: it combines action, adventure, romance,
comedy. There is also a dancing sequence in the film,
albeit only to background music. There is not much
difference: the only difference is in the budget. I am
lucky and blessed to have experienced both industries in
such a short span of time. It is more or less the same:
the only difference is the budget, so they afford better
equipment, better cameras. Otherwise the working style
is more or less the same.
Your experiences
with the Chinese people? Chinese are very
hospitable. Both Jackie and Stanley went out of their
ways to make me comfortable in every respect. They never
forced me, or put any pressure on me to do anything I
wasn't comfortable doing.
Any more films with
Jackie being planned? It's too premature to say
that but yes, Jackie is very happy with my work and he
said that he is proud to have me in his movie and he
looks forward to have a
long working relationship with me.
It's said
you have done a nude scene in the film? The
director Stanley Tom has already clarified this matter
with the press. There is no kissing scene or nude scene
in the movie. Jackie Chan movies have always been
targeted at a family audience, especially kids.
But some other actresses claim that you got
the role only because you didn't mind doing the nude
scene? It is a shame that instead of feeling
happy and giving me support that someone from India is
actually representing the country in international
cinema, they are ridiculing and maligning me. We, as
Bollywood, are yet to prove ourselves in the
international circuit. I need all the support. There is
lot of opportunity and lot of work for all of us. I
really hope that this opens the door for other actors
and actresses as well. Let's stop feeling jealous of
each other all the time.
It's said you were
offered to pose nude for Playboy? We got a call
from the magazine, saying that they wanted me to pose.
It was an international call. But we never gave any
comment about it because we had to first validate the
authenticity of the offer. Something on Kis Kiski
Kismat? That's my next film which co-stars
Dharmendraji. He is a legend. My naani [maternal
grandmother] used to have a crush on him. My mummy used
to keep his picture in a book in her younger days. When
I made Dharamji talk to her, my mom could not believe
it.
Your character in it? It is a sexy
comedy. It has a good script. I am playing a dimwitted,
dumb and courageous girl. She gets involved in a
nationwide scandal with a stockbroker. My character is a
cross between Mehmood and Madhubala.
Indian princess whom
Jackie falls in love with and how the mystery unfolds
and how he saves her. 
looks forward to have a
long working relationship with me. 
