India is "regressive for women" and a "depressing" place to be, says Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat, explaining why she divides her time between India and the US.
She was speaking the 66th Cannes International Film Festival, at an interaction at The Variety Studio. Mallika has flaunted the link of her interview on her Twitter page.
Talking to Variety's Steve Gaydos, the 36-year-old Indian actress, who divides her time between India and Los Angeles, was highly critical of her country, particularly for women.
"I made a conscious decision to divide my time between Los Angeles and India," she said.
"So when I enjoy the social freedom in America and go back to India, which is so regressive for women, it's depressing. As an independent woman, it's really depressing."
Hailing from Rohtak in Haryana, Mallika entered the Indian film industry in 2003 with "Khwahish" and grabbed headlines for her cleavage-baring clothes and over 15 screen kisses.
She also starred in popular Hindi films like "Murder" and "Welcome".
She went international with Jackie Chan-starrer 2005 film "The Myth", and then did Jennifer Lynch's "Hisss" and William Dear's "Politics of Love".
Mallika's first visit to the Cannes fest was with Jackie Chan for the promotion of "The Myth".
The actress is now busy with an Indian film, "Dirty Politics".
Talking about it, she said: "The film began six months ago and it's a biopic. It's a story of a woman who is a nurse, she gets involved with a politician and gets murdered in the end. It shows how the government reacts to it."
Mallika went on: "India is a hypocritical society where women are really at the bottom as compared to men. And here was this woman (in the film) who actually had the courage to stand up to this politician who kind of raped her, molested her, abused her and record his misgivings and release it to the press.
"You don't do that in a country like India, and she had the courage to do that."
She claimed she was the first actress in India to kiss on screen and wear a bikini.
"And instantly I became a fallen woman and a superstar at the same time. Because there is a moral code - that this is what a leading lady can do on screen and this is what she can't do.
"But I did everything I am not supposed to do."
Mallika shared how there now was a "new wave of young Indian directors, producers and writers who are inspired (by) American cinema, European cinema and are making meaningful films. But it's a very small section".
She even took credit for bringing a wave of change.
"I was one of those actresses who said that in 21st century, how are you going to show passion on the screen? It can't be symbolic any more, and we've got to kiss on screen. So yes, there's a change happening, which is very positive," she added.
