Indian celebrities have taken their A-game to the Cannes film festival this year. The red carpet has been painted all shades of glamorous by the biggest names in the industry like Deepika Padukone in her pink fan dress, Kangana getting the retro vibe back in all desi glory, Aishwarya Rai and her butterfly train and now even Sonam Kapoor with her post bridal white glow.

While it’s iconic fashion that we won’t forget, it’s great to use your platform for a social cause and that’s exactly what Mallika did.

TheMurder actor is representing an NGO called ‘Free a Girl’ at the film festival. She is using her voice and platform as an ambassador for an international NGO against the human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children everywhere.

According to Pinkvilla, Mallika spoke about the issue saying that it’s her ninth time at the festival and is one of the most cogent platforms to raise the issue of child prostitution all over the world. She said,

BEING LOCKED IN A CAGE, I WANTED TO DRIVE HOME THE IMAGERY OF HOW YOUNG GIRLS WHO ARE BEING TRAFFICKED ARE TRAPPED IN A SMALL 12×8 FOOT ROOM. THESE INNOCENT VICTIMS HAVE TO LIVE AND SURVIVE WITHOUT ANY AID. THERE IS A WOMAN SUFFERING ABUSE EVERY MINUTE WITH NO HOPE OF ANY CHANGE

Mallika Sherawat has made her presence felt at Cannes this year. The 'Murder' girl who walked the red carpet a day before, locked herself up in a cage as part of Lock-Me-Up campaign at Cannes. The actress has been representing an NGO in raising awareness about forced child prostitution and trafficking. Sporting a sad face, Mallika was dressed casually in a dull middy dress as she confined herself to the 12*8 feet cage. Opening about her act, the actress said, “It is my ninth year at Cannes and the festival is one of the most cogent platforms to raise the issue of child prostitution not just in India but across the world. Being locked in a cage, I wanted to drive home the imagery of how young girls who are being trafficked are trapped in a small 12x8 foot room. These innocent victims have to live and survive without any aid. There is a woman suffering abuse every minute with no hope of any change. So I thought of doing my bit and raising awareness about an issue which needs to become extinct at the earliest.”

Mallika Sherawat wins over Cannes red carpet in a lilac swan gown

Bollywood divas are keeping their fans back home and around the globe hooked and anxious with their red carpet outings at the Cannes Film Festival this year. While Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut bowled away onlookers in divine sheer gowns, Mallika Sherawat too made it to the headlines by walking the red carpet on the same day in a lilac attire. The interesting swan inspired gown was a wise choice with a not so prominent slit at the front and a trail to boast off. Needless to say, she looked every bit heavenly in the Tony Ward gown as she was styled by one of Paris’ top stylist, Wil Ariyameth. With her side-parted hair tied behind, the ‘Murder’ girl flaunted a bold neckline adding to the oomph while underplaying in light makeup and nude lips. She has been representing an NGO at the film festival that works towards eliminating child prostitution and trafficking.

Mallika Sherawat says India is becoming a "land of gang rapists"

Actress Mallika Sherawat has expressed her displeasure over increasing number of rape cases in India. She has said that from the land of Mahatma Gandhi, the country has become a land of gang rapists.

Mallika was interacting with the media at the special screening of 'Daas Dev' on Wednesday when she made the comparison.

President Ram Nath Kovind on April 22 approved an ordinance to provide a death penalty for those convicted of raping girls younger than 12 years.

The actress said, "I think what's happening with women and children of this country is absolutely shameful. From the land of Gandhi, we have become a land of gang rapists and I think it's the media in the country that is really a strong force today. So all hopes are pinned on the media."

"If it's not in the media, then nobody would know about these cases. I think because of pressure from the media, these new laws have been enforced. So we are really thankful to the media for this," she added.

She also said, "We haven't been able to protect women and children of our country and I have been reading about such kind of crimes on a daily basis in newspapers."

Mallika Sherawat calls rumoured husband Cyrille Auxenfans her “friend”

Mallika Sherawat has found herself in the news again, this time for a reported eviction notice served to her and French tycoon “husband” of two years, Cyrille Auxenfans. French, British and Indian news portals ran stories about the same in the past days alleging that the couple reportedly owes nearly 80,000 euros (approximately Rs 61 lakh) in unpaid rent and a French court will rule on the dispute this week.

According to reports, Mallika issued a statement denying all such claims saying that she didn’t own or rent an apartment in Paris and that she didn’t know why her name was being dragged into the matter. While reports quoted a lawyer dismissing claims that the couple is facing financial difficulties, the former actress claimed that she didn’t even know the lawyer.
While hitting out at these reports, Mallika also said that Cyrille Auxenfans, rumoured to be her husband, was just her “friend.” Questioning why her private life was being dragged into the matter, she made it clear that “Cyrille is not my husband.”

Mallika was rumoured to be in a romantic relationship with the French tycoon after she went public on Instagram and even brought the hunk home to Mumbai.