How is this for confidence? Sizzling Mallika Sherawat, in Cannes for the first time, likened herself to Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly and Madonna all in one sentence.

"A whole new market has opened for me," the actress told. The response of European media and American media here towards me has been fantastic, it has been great ... I'm going to grab this chance with both hands."

Asked whether she was daunted by the competition for producers' and directors' attention in the crowded resort, she replied: "There is no competition honey, there is no competition."