Celeb Joint: January 2009

Lady Luck seems to be in no mood to favour Mallika Sherawat. Considering that Mallika already had issues with Studio 18, regarding a tentatively titled film Masquerade, last year, Mallika stepped on the production house’s toes again, resulting in her being axed from the film.
A source close to the production house said, “Studio 18 had given Mallika Rs 25 lakh as the signing amount for Masquerade, to be directed by Kundan Shah. When things turned sour between Mallika and Kundan, the film got shelved.”

Meanwhile, some legal tussle ensued over the signing amount, which Mallika did not return to Studio 18. Eventually, the issue was sorted out as she agreed to do their film starring Himesh Reshammiya.

The source added, “Though Mallika stays clear of two heroine projects, she was so bowled over by this script that she not only agreed to do the film but also offered to take a price cut for it. However, the resultant meetings in the production house turned bitter for her. During one of the meetings, a Studio 18 guy sarcastically remarked that instead of taking a price cut, Mallika should hike her price as she had delivered two duds. Mallika, who, till then, was all excited about the project, did not take kindly to this statement. She struck back by demanding a whopping Rs. 2 crore as her fee - almost double her market price. Mallika’s demand brought the matter to a head and it was now Studio 18’s turn to retaliate. They decided to drop Mallika altogether from the film.”

Studio 18 had earlier dragged the actress to the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA). They have now pursued the case again. Shariq Patel, Sr. Vice President, Production, Studio 18 confirmed the news, “We initiated discussion with Mallika Sherawat for the project. However, we were unable to come to an agreement on her price. As it made no commercial sense, we have cast other talent for the film and continue to fight the case at IMPPA.”

However, Mallika’s spokesperson denied that she was thrown out of the film. He said, “It is definitely not true. The meeting was attended by senior managers of Studio 18, Himesh, Mallika and her managers, who met in Mallika’s office itself. Sometimes business deals work and sometimes they don’t. There were various factors involved for her refusal to this project. And yes, while correct pricing was one of the factors, it was not the only one.”