Mallika Sherawat, Pamela Anderson of India

She oozes sex appeal in dollops. Her oomph level has hit the roof. And in glamour she can beat anyone hands down. With a pencil thin figure, this miss certainly has the hiss that is making international headlines.

Hollywood stars are taking note of her. And rightly so. It is about time Pamela Anderson of India made her presence felt in Hollywood. It goes to her credit she didn’t have a godfather in Bollywood. She didn’t have those porcelain looks of Aishwarya or Miss World title to back her. Like Frieda Pinto she didn’t act in an Oscar hit. But look how she has arrived. In style, all the way.

She didn’t need all this. She just had to be Mallika, the ruler of male (and female too) hearts. She is the outspoken femme fatale. And this is where her strength lies. She is so brazen about (almost) everything that one likes to dip into her juicy snippets.

Reema Lamba wouldn’t ring a bell but that’s her real name. Educated in Delhi, once married, then divorced, she made her onscreen debut with a music video. She courted Bollywood in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye (2002). Khwahish (2003) signalled her arrival and Murder (2004) was her crowning glory. It was quite an achievement for the newcomer.

Variously claiming to be 33, 27 or even less, she should state where she stands on the age scale. Not that it would affect her popularity. She is beyond these inane matters. Various sources claim she was born on 24.10.66, making her 42 and just a year senior to Pamela. She is still in good company. Guess what; in public life little lies don’t count.

Just seven years in the industry, she has taken it by storm, more for her sexy appearances than acting. But that’s what people want. And she doesn’t disappoint on this score. Her skimpy outfits will put even Pamela to shame.

Let’s not undermine her efforts and call her a mere glamour puss. She definitely struggled but look where she has reached. Beyond all her chatter, she comes across an intelligent pretty woman.

Cover magazine had named her one of Asia’s 100 most beautiful people. She has been on the covers of Maxim and Cosmopolitan. It is her good fortune that she has been variously compared with Marilyn Monroe and Halle Berry.

What more could Mallika desire? She is the first Bollywood celebrity to have a milkshake named after her at the hotspot ‘Millions of Milkshakes’ in Hollywood city. She had gone bananas and shaken the Hollywood glitterati. At this rate, she will leave the goras eating from the palm of her hand.

She is the latest recipient of the prestigious “Arts Award� from the mayor of New Jersey in New York on April 24th.

In the recent past, her films have not done too well. But who cares? Wide coverage (of cleavage), foreign sojourns and a spicy tongue have all lent her a huge welcome at all do’s. Her presence is vastly desired. It is said; merely mentioning her name sets the male adrenalin pumping.

Consider this, she charges in crores just for an ‘item number’. Must say, her best is yet to come. Her fan base is increasing by micro-seconds, much faster than the reduction in length of her micro-minis.

From Haryana to Hollywood was just a Hisss away.