"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." (Cine Bliitz magazine, July 2005) Show less «

"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." (Movie Mag International, September 2004) Show less «

I have always wanted to be an actress. In spite of strong opposition from my orthodox family, I came to Mumbai in 2002 on completion of my graduation from Delhi University. In fact, I ran off from home to pursue my career. I knew my parents would never let me be an actress, so I had to take the bold step. However, I have a strong support from my kid brother Vikram, whom I love more than anything else in this world. Show less «

On her film, The Myth (2005): I may not be here to titillate, but I am not sorry if I have that edge. People aren't coming to the theaters to see me in a burqa". (Movie Mag International, September 2004) Show less «

"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!'." (Cine Bliitz magazine, July 2005) Show less «

"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". Show less «

"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!" (Cine Blitz magazine, May 2006) Show less «

"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!" (Cine Bliitz magazine, July 2005) Show less «

On attending the Cannes Film Festival: "It was a surreal experience. There were thousands of photographers, and it seemed like an endless sea of flashbulbs was popping everywhere. They all kept screaming, 'Jackie, Mallika, Jackie, Mallika! The first thought that flashed through my mind was, 'Where did my journey begin and look where I am today'. It seems a really long trip from Rohtak to Cannes. The walk down the red carpet on Jackie Chan's arm, dining with Salma Hayek, George Lucas, Harry Weinstein....meeting them, sharing a conversation with them. And these are people I admire so much, they are the who's who of the world cinema and I was meeting them in the flesh! I felt a great sense of achievement. I felt so important there. And I wasn't there in Cannes as a model or anything like that. Jackie Chan launched me there as an actress! I made my debut in Cannes! Madonna made her first statement in Cannes when she wore the conical bra, Brigitte Bardot and Grace Kelly were launched there..." (Cine Bliitz magazine, July 2005) Show less «

"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 thier sockets, that's what got their attention!" (Cine Bliitz magazine, July 2005) Show less «

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." Show less «

"I graduated from Delhi, and came down to Bombay to try my hand at films. I always wanted to be an actress. I'd ape all the actresses before the mirror even when it was forbidden in my community. Wide-eyed as I may sound, it's a dream come true, yaar! I remember when I disclosed my career option to my folks, all hell broke loose. My father is a zamindar back home. So you can imagine all the fuss. And my mom, she still wears a ghunghat." (Stardust, March 2003) Show less «

"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". Show less «

"I had a song with Tusshar Kapoor in _Jeena Sirf Merre Liye_(2002) and they cut it. I'm so happy nobody went to the theaters to watch the film. The only people who must have watched the film were Tusshar's family, my family and Kareena's".(Stardust, March 2003) Show less «