Before actress Mallika Sherawat was finalised as the face of "The Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika", channel officials were sampling other eligible bachelors like filmmakers Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor.
The show, which will go on air Oct 7 on Life OK, now stars Mallika, and she will find a soulmate for herself from amongst 30 suitors.
"We thought about Karan Johar, we also thought about Ekta (Kapoor). She has one of the most interesting stories. But Mallika was also right on top of our list," Ajit Thakur, general manager, Life OK, said during an interaction.
Thakur said the idea was to zero in on a celebrity who was desirable and was willing to share his or her past with the audience. Was Mallika more than willing to do so?
"Intially, she was hesitant as, at the end of it, she still belongs to a conservative India. She was concerned about whether she would really find the right guy and if the audience will accept her," said Thakur.
The 36-year-old's "struggle" in the film industry will be unravelled in the show gradually.
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"She will unravel her back story in the show. She is completely self-made. In Hollywood, she has done a film and a TV series. From Rohtak to Hollywood is a big thing. This is what we will unravel in the show. It will be very inspirational," he said.
Mallika has featured in films like "Murder", "Pyaar Ke Side Effects" and "Hisss". She has also featured alongside international star Jackie Chan in "The Myth", and currently awaits the release of the movie "Politics of Love".