Hottie Friday: Mallika Sherawat

Today I have but one question to ask. It just doesn't seem appropriate enough for me to just say it. Me, I say it would have the effect of being quite inadequate. So I ask you, "How damn HOT and SEXY is Indian bombshell Mallika Sherawat?! How Hot? To what degree is Miss Sherawat hot? What level does your thermometer rise to when she's present?!

I've asked myself the same question and believe me when I tell you I am yet to come up with a degree of hotness that befits her. Imagine that; me, Slym; unbelievable right? Gotta be. This is proof of the effects of looking at too many hot and gorgeous women. At some point in time the brain is sure to suffer 'hotness overload'.




When did I first notice this Indian goddess of beauty? When she appeared in a film by my most beloved Karate and action entertainment master - Jackie Chan in The Myth (2005), right away I was smitten; there's no denying it. Then when I later saw her in Guru in 2007, I knew it was not just a passing fancy. No, it was the real thing; I was hooked for sure for life.




Her beauty is overwhelming and overpowering. Her body rocks hard. Her hair is amazingly silky, shiny and healthy. Her sexiness is beyond words and her hotness will make you strip down in a heartbeat and dive into a tub filled with ice to prevent you from combusting and/or exploding! The woman is really really seriously HOT!

She was born Reema Lamba in Karnal, Haryana, India and has a degree in Philosophy from Miranda House, Delhi University. After graduating from university (2002), she moved to Bombay to pursue a career in modeling and the film industry. This career choice caused her to be estranged from her family who were/are extremely religious.




In 2003 when she landed her first acting role in Khwahish, she changed her name to Mallika (meaning empress) and used her mother's maiden name Sherawat. It is said she chose to use her mother's maiden name because although her mother was not pleased with her choice of career, she still offered her daughter support.




So far in her career she has appeared in fifteen films and is working on an additional three. Of the total films (18), approximately seven of these are English (language) films. Hisss is in post-production, Fauj Mein Mauj is being filmed and Unveiled is in production. Her very first onscreen debut was in Lak Tunoo, a music video by Surjit Bindrakhia.




To date she has received one nomination for her role in Murder in 2005. She received the nomination for Best Actress at the Zee Cine Awards ceremony. The film was also the biggest hit for that year (2004). However, it is her performance in the 2006 film Pyaar Ke Side Effects that has garnered the most praise from around the industry.




And if you have the notion that Sherawat is all beauty and no brains, then perish the thought. You already know she has a degree in Philosophy; however it is pertinent to disclose that Sherawat is widely known for being very out-spoken, self-assured, determined and independent. I know what you're thinking and I wholeheartedly agree - what a combination!




To prove my point, take a look at some personal quotes from the sex symbol herself!

"I've slogged like crazy to get where I am. And those who think it's just my body that got me where I am, they should take a look at the others who have rushed in after me. They haven't gone beyond their first feverish film".


"I have always looked up to Bipasha and she has certainly opened a lot of doors for many actresses like us. But I don't want to compete against anyone. I think I am one of a kind".


"I would like to say I handle criticism well. In fact I enjoy reading the comments of the critics. It's great to have critics blasting you all the time. It keeps you on your toes, spurs you, challenges you, makes you want to get better. I take everything positively. There's so much to learn and do."




"Isn't it great that I evoke a reaction from people? Whether it is good or bad is secondary. The thing is that I like being myself. I find it very tiresome to put up a fake smile, say the right things, be diplomatic. It's just not in my personality to be like that."





"Who cares what people say about me? I am right on the ball. And I don't think one should take oneself too seriously. Be like the laughing Buddha, I always say, smile through life! It will immediately look better!"




"I never wanted to belong to a crowd. I never had a herd mentality...I always knew what I wanted and I made sure I got it. And I always knew that I wanted to be an actress. I exist because I can act. I will not sit here and say, 'Arrey, by chance, offer aa gaya' (I got the offer by chance). No, I made acting happen to me. The first opportunity I got to act, I grabbed it. Nobody had even heard of me till a couple of years ago. But it's by sheer hard work and focus that I am here. Also, I think I chose the right scripts. Like Robert De Niro says, 'Talent is in the choice you make!'."




Did I mention that she has a very candid sense of humor too? How could I have not? How remiss of me *insert me scolding myself here - I'm so disappointed in myself*. Take a look at this next quote.




"My family doesn't understand the concept of going to Cannes. My mother keeps telling all my relatives, 'Oh, woh kahin gayi hain' (she has gone somewhere). I don't even try and explain to her what Cannes was all about, because she will not understand. When they saw my outfits, their eyes popped out of their sockets, that's what got their attention!"


"If a chemical drug like Viagra is accepted by society and by the world to ignite desire, then what is the problem with my audio-visual drug called cinema which ignites desire? Both are basically doing the same thing!"


(I know I told you about her outspokenness before, but just in case you forgot, this next one is a stalk reminder *I love this one*)

On being criticized for doing kissing scenes: "For God's sake, I am a young girl. Do I look like a nun to you? If the hero can enjoy the kiss, why can't I? And to top it all Himanshu (Khwahish [2003]) is very good looking."




The way I see it, there might have been some of you who were skeptical at the beginning. You must have been thinking, 'sure she's a knock-out, but I'm sure she's shallow'. Well what do you think now? And I ask you once more, 'How fucking damn hot is Mallika Sherawat?"!

Jill Wagner and Wipeout airing Superbowl Sunday!

Tune into ABC to watch IMTA alum Jill Wagner host a special episode of her hit show Wipeout on Super Bowl Sunday!! According to Live Feed:

"ABC plans to counterprogram NBC’s game-day entertainment telecasts with a sports-star-studded episode of the summer obstacle-course hit “Wipeout.”...The strategy will mark the first time in five years a major broadcast network has gone after a rival’s Super Bowl momentum with original entertainment programming. It’s broadcast’s biggest day, and this is a big mass-market show, and it’s fun to be able to participate and be a part of it,” said John Saade, senior vp alternative programming at ABC. “This will put ‘Wipeout’ back in the public’s consciousness between runs, and we plan to have a lot of fun with it.”

"The two-part ABC special — dubbed “Wipeout Superball Sunday” — pulls out all the stops to cater to NFL fans: Hall of Famer Michael Irvin will lend sideline commentary, the Navy’s Blue Angels will perform a flyover, the USC marching band will storm the course, contestants will run a gantlet with quarterbacks pelting them with footballs, NFL luminaries will stop by the commentary booth, and the show’s signature Big Balls obstacle has been converted into jumbo-sized footballs." This super exciting event will all be co- hosted by Jill!!

Jill competed at IMTA in Los Angeles in 2001 where she won Female Model of the Year! Many people know Jill as the Lincoln Mercury car girl as she has done many ad campaigns for the auto giant. She has a new Mercury commercial playing nation-wide! She played an operative on fellow IMTA alum Ashton Kutcher's hilarious show Punk'd and while on the show she punk'd Katie Holmes, yet another IMTA alum! Her television roles include Monk, Dr. Vegas, starring as Larrin in Stargate Atlantis, Blade: The Series, and she starred in the independent films Junebug and Shifted.

Catch a sneak peak of The Superbowl Episode of
Wipeout Here!

Christian and Connor Kramme!

IMTA alum Connor Kramme and his brother Christian have been very busy since competing at IMTA in 2007. They both booked a commercial for AARP and an episode of the upcoming VH1 show Confessions of a Teen Idol!

Connor has been in the films Alex's Halloween, Lullaby and Homework. He is working on new projects for Cartoon Network including a game show entitled Beat the Monkey! He will also be working on the feature film Mother and Child!

Christian can currently be seen on all the kid's channels in a national commercial for Fruit Gushers! He has booked voice over for Sea World. He also has done national commercials for Hasbro and Verizon Cell Phones!

Two IMTA alum's films now out on DVD!!

IMTA alum Regine Nehy's new dramatic feature film Lakeview Terrace is now out on DVD! This movie is about an interracial couple who moves into a new house in Los Angeles. Their next door neighbor is a single dad and a Los Angeles Policeman, played by Samuel L. Jackson. He starts stalking and harassing them. Regine plays Samuel L. Jackson's daughter, Celia Turner, in this suspenseful thriller.

Regine competed at IMTA in New York of 2000. She starred as Jacquie in the MTV film Super Sweet Sixteen: The Movie. She also starred in the the film Pride about a swim team overcoming numerous obstacles to become state championship . She has appeared in many projects such as: Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story, Grey's Anatomy, Lincoln Heights and Boot Camp.

IMTA alum Haley Bennett's movie College is also now out on DVD! This humorous coming of age film is about a high school student who after breaking up with his girlfriend has to be pushed to attend the freshman orientation weekend at Fairmont University where they both planned on going. Haley stars as Kendall along side Josh and Drake star Drake Bell.

Haley competed at the 2001 IMTA Convention where she received a lot of attention from the agents and managers who were there scouting for new talent. She starred in the thriller The Haunting of Molly Hartley with Chace Crawford. Haley co-starred in the hugely popular romantic comedy Marley and Me with Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. She also starred in Music and Lyrics and in the feature film She Lived.

Slym Pickings Turns One!!!

This post is just about 3 days and a few hours late but you know what they say, 'better late than never'. Now I know what you're thinking, 'shame on you Slym, how could you forget your own Anniversary?' Shame indeed, is what I say.


Did I forget my anniversary? Like hell I didn't! Well..., hmmm, how do I put this? The date of my anniversary I certainly did not forget. As my anniversary approached I did remember. But the actual day, well dammit, yes I forgot the actual day. Hey it's not like I just sit around looking at the calendar counting the darn days! Ok, Ok, I admit it (happy now?).


Slym Pickings turned One *yes 1 woo hoo!!* last Friday (23 January 2009). And damn, I really cannot believe that a year has passed! I can hardly believe that I've been doing this for a year! It is unbelievable that a year has passed by so quickly!!!


Am I excited? Can I contain myself (even though it is a bit late)? I'll tell you this much, I can't seem to keep a smile off my face. And folks that says a lot. I am very pleased with what I've done. I'm extremely proud of the journey I've made. It has been very rewarding so far.


On this (past due) date that I celebrate; it would be remiss of me to not give credit and express sincere appreciation to a few people. A little over a year ago Scribegrrl of AfterEllen casually asked me to write a piece after I had sent a tidbit to her and she was swamped and hadn't enough time to follow it up. I quite seriously but in a joking manner told her that I was no writer. But being the brave soul that I am and always being up for a challenge, I wrote the piece. I almost got a heart attack when the said piece was published. A subsequent piece followed and I think by then I was bitten by the blog bug.


Thoughts and ideas for pieces kept popping into my head as I tried to sleep, as I ate, as I walked, etc, etc. The next thing I knew I couldn't stop thinking and thinking and thinking. Then I started jotting things down and then I started to look at pictures.


Then on that faithful day on January 23, 2008 Slym Pickings was born. I guess you can say that I haven't stopped since. Hey, here I am a year after still at it. Granted, I have had my moments where it's been difficult to find time to do it (like right about now) but you can rest assured that Slym Pickings won't be going away anytime soon (not if I can help it).


However, my deepest appreciation must go to Y-O-U my readers, followers and fans. I did not start blogging for the audience; not at all. Slym Pickings has become my baby, my release, my escape. We all have those days when we are stretched to our limits (some more than others) and just as Slym Pickings has become my reprieve, my only hope is that it can do the same for others.


I keep it light here as you can see. No news, no pop culture, no gossip, no negativity and stuff like that. The way I see it, there are oodles and oodles of other media doing this on the daily. I'm sick and tired of bad news, negative news and other stories that are so readily printed, shown and published.


But enough of my ramblings; THANK YOU, YOU, YOU and Y-O-U for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the vast blogosphere. I don't keep Slym Pickings going for just myself anymore; you all are now an added reason when I take the time to sit down and put my whims and fantasies together ;-).


It would be rather remiss of me to complete my 'thank yous' without thanking my friend Dorothy over at Surrenders. She is a very kind awesome gal and a hell of a writer. She did not hesitate to add a link to my blog over on her magnificent site and now some of her fans have become some of mine.

To every other blogger and site administrators who have been so kind to link my site to theirs, I sincerely thank you. And to the one who keeps an eye out (especially when I'm tired or haven't enough time) to ensure that my 'I's are dotted and my 'T's crossed, I thanks ya ;-).


Your humble dreamer,
Slym