The Toronto Sun's front page on Thursday shows a promotional image for the 2003 Bollywood-style movie, co-starring Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla. (Robin Rowland/CBC)

Former actress and Brampton, Ont., Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla is trying to block DVD sales of a Bollywood-style movie she co-starred in before being elected to Parliament in 2004.

In an interview with the Toronto Sun Wednesday, Dhalla confirmed her role in the 2003 low-budget Hindi film made in Hamilton called Kyon Kis Liye (Why? And for Whom?).

However, she claimed the movie's publicity material, including posters and photos, were doctored — putting her face on someone else's body.

"We've never seen a copy of the film," said Dhalla, 35, who represents Brampton-Springdale.

"They are misrepresenting myself.… they put my face on someone else's body in clothes I never wore."

The film producer Charanjit (Chico) Sihra, who owns an autobody shop in Hamilton, said Dhalla signed a distribution waiver and was paid $2,000.

Sihra — who met Dhalla at a fashion show in 1993 shortly after she placed second in the Miss India Canada pageant — said he doesn't know what all the fuss is about.

"She wanted to be in a Bollywood film," Sihra said. "She had a passion for the movie, but she's a politician now and she doesn't want the DVD of the film released."

Dhalla's mother was on set every day of filming and there is no nudity or sex in the movie, he added.

Dhalla denied signing a waiver and has asked Sihra to produce it. Sihra said the form was destroyed in a fire but he has witnesses who saw Dhalla sign it.

Both sides have hired lawyers.

"If we have to go through an injunction, we'll do whatever is necessary," Dhalla said.

She claims the producer and distributor in India are "opportunists" trying to exploit her status as a politician.

With files from the Canadian Press