Mallika Sherawat played a funny and quirly role in the 2007 hit Welcome, directed by Anees Bazmee. The movie starred Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead, with Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, and Nana Patekar in pivotal roles. The movie was followed by a sequel in 2015, titled Welcome Back. It was also directed by Anees, but Akshay, Katrina and Mallika were missing, whereas Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar reprised their roles. People were surprised why Mallika was not cast in the movie. She has now opened up on this, and claimed she lost the movie to the director's girlfriend.
“Welcome ka sequel banega toh director apni girlfriend ko hi dalega na usmein. Welcome 2 bana toh usmein apni girlfriend ko daal diya batao, ab main kya karun?” Mallika told Pinkvilla. The actress also stated she doesn’t believe in revealing the names. On the contrary she mentions it’s a fact that usually in movie sequels, directors or the actors tend to cast their girlfriend. “But this is true. When they make a sequel they cast their girlfriend, the hero casts his girlfriend, what do I do then?”
She further said, “I don’t have any boyfriend in Bollywood, I have never been with any actor, director or producer. With me like this is my work, if you think I am worthy of your project I would love to be a part of it. But if a director, or a producer or an actor - if they want to cast their girlfriends then it's their choice."
Welcome Back featured John Abraham and Shruti Haasan in the lead. It failed to create the magic that Welcome had. ALSO READ: Mallika Sherawat Says, 'Last Year There Was A Death Of An Actor And People In A Very Misogynistic Way Started Blaming His Girlfriend - EXCLUSIVE
Image Source: Instagram/mallikasherawat/bestoftheyear