Mallika, shaadi se pehle!

At the music launch of Mallika Sherawat's upcoming film, Shaadi Se Pehle, most people were surprised to see more of Koena Mitra and Celina Jaitley -- who don't even figure in the film -- than the heroine.

Later, it was learnt that Mallika was caught up in a shoot and would arrive soon.

In her absence, all the media attention was on Koena and Celina, who, one must say, were looking gorgeous on the occasion.

The question is, have Koena And Celina got an entry into the Mukta Arts (Subhash Ghai's production company) camp?

Otherwise, why would they sit through the entire music launch of a film they don't have any role in?

Subhash Ghai was at his flamboyant best, Shaadi Se Pehle being Mukta Arts' first film of the year.

Other Mukta Arms films due this year are 36 China Town, Good Boy Bad Boy and Apna Sapna Money Money.

All the actors accompanied Ghai on the dais and shared their experiences of shooting with the Showman.

Music director Himesh Reshammiya -- who is churning out hit after hit -- sang two lines from one of the songs of Shaadi Se Pehle.

Also present at the do was Jackie Shroff, about whom Ghai said, "If the film Hero with Jackie had not happened in 1983, today I would have not been here in this industry. Jackie is like a family member of Mukta Arts."

Mallika Sherawat did finally turn up, two hours late, for the event.

"All my heroines are late at two places -- firstly for the shooting of film and secondly for these kind of functions. Interestingly, the answer for the delay is the same -- traffic jam," Ghai joked.

Mallika's reason for the late arrival, however, was that she was stuck at a shoot.

She also surprised everyone by declaring that Shaadi Se Pehle will be her first 'family' film.

"All my films have been 'adult' films so far but Shaadi Se Pehle will be my first film meant for the entire family," added the actress who Rediff readers voted as the hottest Bollywood heroine.

Akshaye Khanna and Ayesha Takia, the other stars of the film, conspicuous by their silence, except when they declared that it was one of the great experiences in life to be associated with Mukta Arts.

Ayesha also thanked Mallika for giving her space and adjusting with her during the making of the film.

"The shooting experience for Shaadi Se Pehle has been one of the nicest experiences in my life," Ayesha added.

Subhash Ghai praised Akshaye to the heavens and reminded audiences that after Taal, Shaadi Se Pehle would be his second film with the actor.

"Akshaye has given a mindblowing performance in the film and he is outstanding actor. He has performed extremely well in comedies," the veteran filmmaker added.