Malaika Arora Biography:
Malaika Arora, born on 23rd October 1973, is a versatile Indian actress, dancer, model, VJ, and television personality who primarily appears in Hindi-language films. In 2008, she ventured into film production alongside her former husband, Arbaaz Khan, co-founding Arbaaz Khan Productions, the company behind the successful Dabangg film series. As an actress, Malaika has appeared in films like Kaante (2002) and EMI (2008). She is also well-known for her iconic performances in hit songs such as “Chaiyya Chaiyya” (1998), “Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha” (1998), “Maahi Ve” (2002), “Kaal Dhamaal” (2005), and “Munni Badnaam Hui” (2010).
Malaika Arora Family:
Malaika Arora, whose name is derived from the Swahili word malaika, meaning “angel,” was born in Thane, Maharashtra. Her mother, Joyce Polycarp, is a Malayali Christian, while her father, Anil Arora, was a Punjabi Hindu from Fazilka, who worked in the Indian Merchant Navy. After her parents divorced when she was 11, Malaika, along with her sister Amrita, moved to Chembur with their mother, who raised them as a single parent. Despite the separation, her father maintained a respectful relationship with the family.
Malaika completed her secondary education at Swami Vivekanand School in Chembur and attended Holy Cross High School in Thane until the ninth grade. She then pursued her college education at Jai Hind College, Churchgate, but left before completing her studies due to professional commitments. Before beginning her modeling career, she lived in Borla Society, Chembur, across from Basant Talkies.
Malaika Arora Career:
Malaika Arora began her career as a VJ for MTV India when the channel launched, hosting shows like Club MTV and co-hosting Love Line and Style Check alongside Cyrus Broacha. She then transitioned into modeling, appearing in numerous advertisements and popular album songs, including Bally Sagoo’s “Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha” alongside Jas Arora. Malaika gained widespread fame with her iconic item number “Chaiyya Chaiyya” in the 1998 Bollywood film Dil Se…
In 2010, she featured in the hit item song “Munni Badnaam Hui” from the film Dabangg, produced by her then-husband Arbaaz Khan. On 12th March 2011, she led 1,235 participants in a choreographed dance to “Munni Badnaam,” setting a world record. Malaika also became the brand ambassador for Taiwan Excellence in 2012 and endorsed products like Dabur’s 30-Plus. Although she never intended to pursue acting, she performed live in concerts with Atif Aslam, Shaan, and Bipasha Basu at the LG Arena in Birmingham and The O2 Arena in London.
In 2014, Malaika made a cameo appearance in the Farah Khan-directed film Happy New Year.
On television, she made her mark as a judge on Nach Baliye in 2005 and continued judging its second season in 2006, where she also performed several item numbers for the contestants. She later judged shows like Zara Nachke Dikha and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2010. Malaika is currently a judge on India’s Got Talent and has also served as a judge and host for MTV Supermodel of the Year in 2019, as well as India’s Best Dancer in 2020.
Malaika Arora Marriage, Divorce, Son:
Malaika Arora married Bollywood actor-director-producer Arbaaz Khan in 1998 after they met during a coffee ad shoot. During their marriage, she was known as Malaika Arora Khan. On 28th March 2016, the couple announced their separation due to compatibility issues, and they officially divorced on 11th May 2017. They share a son, Arhaan Khan, born on 9th November 2002. Following the divorce, Malaika retained primary custody of their son, while Arbaaz was granted visitation rights as part of their settlement in the Bandra Family Court. Her former in-laws include Bollywood personalities Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, and scriptwriter Salim Khan.
Since 2016, Malaika has been in a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor. In 2020, she adopted a vegan lifestyle.
In April 2022, she was involved in a car accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway when three vehicles collided. She was taken to Apollo Hospital in Navi Mumbai, where she received stitches for her injuries.
Tragically, her father, Anil Arora, passed away by suicide in 2024.
Malaika Arora Physical Appearance:
Physical Stats & More:
- Height (approx.): 5’3″ (161 cm)
- Eye Colour: Light Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Malaika Arora Favourites:
- Food: Rice with Sambhar, Tea Cake, Fish Curry
- Actor(s): Shah Rukh Khan, Chunky Pandey, Rahul Khanna
- Actress(es): Deepika Padukone, Helen
- Perfume Brand(s): Tom Ford’s Black Orchid
- Label(s): Fenty by Rihanna, Goop by Gwyneth Paltrow
- Travel Destination(s): Goa, Greece, Caribbean Islands
