Mallika Sherawat honored by the City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, 14 August 2009

For the first time in the history of Hollywood, honorary citizenship and an official Resolution was bestowed upon a Bollywood star by the City of Los Angeles. Mallika Sherawat received the prestigious honor in front of members of the entertainment industry, friends, family and fans during a ceremony at Los Angeles City Hall on the eve of Indian Independence Day. In the City Hall Council Chambers, Council member Jose Huizar presented Mallika a certificate.

Mallika accepted the Resolution, which was signed by the Mayor and all City Council members, saying " Thank you. I am deeply, and humbly grateful for this grand honor. And a very special thank you to Council member Huizar, Mayor Villaragosa, Mayor Riordan, and all the City Council... And to my friends, family and fans who are here today, sharing this Recognition with me on such an auspicious day, the eve before we celebrate Indian Independence Day."

"As the first Indian Bollywood actor to receive this Recognition, I proudly accept it in honor of my home country, mother India, and my beloved Bollywood, the world's largest film industry. May our two countries continue their special friendship, and our two film industries Bollywood and Hollywood continue this new wave of collaboration and make great art and entertainment, throughout the world. And as a new "NRI" (non-Resident Indian!), I dedicate this to all the millions of NRIs who came before me. Jai Ho, Los Angeles!"