Actress Mallika Sherawat and director K C Bokadia today claimed they have received "threatening calls" for being part for an upcoming film inspired by Bhanwari Devi, a Rajasthan-based nurse who was allegedly murdered.

Mallika is playing the lead role in Dirty Politics, being directed by Bokadia.

The 36-year-old nurse had gone missing from Jodhpur's Bilara area and was killed in 2011.

"I have received threats. There was a call that my brother received, saying "tell your sister to stay away from this topic and from the film". I think these kinds of threats will be issued," Mallika told reporters here.

"I have also received a lots of threats. I know my duty as a filmmaker. Though I am inspired by the Bhanwari Devi case I have presented it in my own style. I think it will be a clean and good film. We have done the film in our way..It is one of the best films that I have made," Bokadia said.

The duo, however, did not say if they intend to lodge a police complaint over the threats.

The Bollywood director felt the Murder actress fits the bill for the role. "I don't think anyone else could have done this film. I think 5-10 years back when I had seen her performance in Murder I had not thought I would work with her. This film required her and I am happy she is doing it."

Mallika said everyone has to play politics to survive and she is no exception. "Everyday we have to play politics to survive. I do both good and bad politics. I would like to do dirty politics...Dirtier the better. In the film industry, I think every actor is victim of politics."

About her role in Dirty Politics, she said "The role is bold. I never tried to change my image and I don't need to do it. I am very happy with my image."

"This is a difficult role to do. I liked the script and agreed to be part of it. From the beginning of my career, I have done female-oriented roles but very few such roles are written in Bollywood," she said.