Mallika Sherawat was born as Reema Lamba in Karnal, Haryana and adopted the screen name Mallika to avoid confusion with other actresses named Reema. Sherawat is her mother's maiden name. Mallika has studied Indian philosophy from Miranda House, Delhi University and was a part time air-hostess married to Jet Airways pilot Captain Karan Singh Gill .
She later on divorced him to pursue her Bollywood dreams.She did her debut with Lak Tunoo, a music video by Surjit Bindrakhia but it was her movie Khwahish that got heads turning. Then Mallika Sherawatdid the film Murder inspired by Hollywood's Unfaithful and received a nomination for Best Actress at the Zee Cine Awards.
Mallika Sherawat expresses her opinions firmly in public and is currently after Hollywood titles. Her stint with Hollywood began with a small role in Jackie Chan's movie, The Myth followed by a widely publicized appearance at the Cannes Film Festival to promote The Myth. However, 2007 movie Welcome was her last release at the box office.
Mallika would now be seen in a Hollywood film named Hisss starring Irrfan Khan and directed by Jennifer Lynch. Mallika is now staying in Los Angeles. Mallika Sherawat has been voted as one of Asia's 100 most beautiful people by the Hong Kong based fashion and beauty magazine, Cover.