Mallika became popular for her show of skin and several kisses in her movie Khwahish which was, by Indian standards quite scandalous and vulgur, as it featured seventeen on-screen kisses. Later the same year, she starred in Murder, again a film that raised eyebrows, since she showed a lot of skin. She was nominated in the 'Best Actress' category in the Zee Cine Awards, for her part in Murder. She has also been in international news for a short appearance in a Jackie Chan film, The Myth. She appeared at the Cannes film festival in a revealing outfit as part of the publicity for the film.

In July 2004, the Bollywood film producers' union IMPAA temporarily blacklisted her. Filmmaker Ramesh Sharma complained that she had committed a breach of contract when she failed to turn up, as promised, for the filming of Kab Kyun Kahan (started in 1999).

Mallika, who has earned her reputation by shocking the Indian middle class, was the first Indian woman to get an offer to pose nude for Playboy magazine. She turned down the offer, citing her morals and upbringing.

Electra's first rock and pop star relationship was with Prince, though the relationship was short lived. Electra was previously romantically involved with rap star B-Real of Cypress Hill from 1995 to 1998. It was revealed when B-Real and Electra were both on The Howard Stern Show that B-Real had bought her breast implants.Electra achieved publicity during her on-again, off-again marriage to basketball star Dennis Rodman from 1998 to 1999. The wedding to Rodman took place at Little Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, she had a brief affair with Tommy Lee, the ex-husband of Pamela Anderson.On November 22, 2003, Electra married Dave Navarro, former lead guitarist for the rock bands Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The couple documented their courtship and marriage in an MTV celebreality show called 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave. On 17 July 2006, she and Navarro announced their separation. Their rep confirmed their separation to Star Magazine. Electra filed for divorce on 10 August. It was finalized on February 20, 2007.In 2006, Electra stated that when she was eight years old she had a "little girl crush" on Joan Jett. In 2007, tabloid sources linked the two of them together romantically. However, Electra's spokeswoman has insisted "They are just friends." In June 2007, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked Electra if her relationship with Jett was romantic.