Malaika Arora

Early life and background

Malaika Arora was named after the Swahili word malaika meaning "angel". She was born in Thane, Maharashtra. Her mother, Joyce Polycarp, is a Malayali Christian, and her father, Anil Arora, was a Punjabi Hindu from the Indian border town of Fazilka who worked in the Indian Merchant Navy. Her parents divorced when she was 11 years old, and she moved to Chembur with her sister Amrita and mother, who raised them as a single mom. Her father shared a respectful relationship with the family.

She completed her secondary education at Swami Vivekanand School in Chembur. She lived in Borla in Sindhi Society, Chembur before starting her modelling career.

Career

Arora was selected as a VJ for MTV India when its operations began. She worked as an interviewer, hosting shows such as Club MTV, and later co-hosting the shows Love Line and Style Check with Cyrus Broacha. Malaika then entered the modelling world, appearing in many advertisements, as well as album songs like Bally Sagoo's "Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha" opposite Jas Arora, and item numbers such as "Chaiyya Chaiyya" in the 1998 Bollywood film Dil Se...

In 2010, she featured in the item song "Munni Badnaam Hui" in the film Dabangg, which was produced by her former husband Arbaaz Khan. On 12 March 2011, she helped set a world record with 1235 participants performing a choreographed dance to "Munni Badnaam" which she led.

She was the Taiwan Excellence celebrity endorser in 2012. She endorsed Dabur's 30-Plus. She states that she never wanted to do acting. She performed live alongside Atif Aslam, Shaan and Bipasha Basu in a series of concerts at LG Arena in Birmingham and The O2 Arena in London. In 2014, she confirmed that she would make a cameo appearance in the Farah Khan-directed action comedy-drama film Happy New Year.

Television

Malaika appeared on the television show Nach Baliye as one of the three judges. The show was aired on STAR One in mid-2005. She continued as a judge in Nach Baliye 2, which began airing in late 2006. In this show, she performed many item numbers as an example for the contestants. She appeared on the show Zara Nachke Dikha as a judge on STAR One. She was a judge on the show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2010.

Malaika is on the judges panel in the show India's Got Talent. She was the judge and host of the MTV Supermodel of the Year in 2019, and a judge of India's Best Dancer in 2020.

Personal life

Arora was married to Bollywood actor-director-producer Arbaaz Khan in 1998, after she met him during a coffee ad shoot. From her marriage with Khan until they got divorced, she was known as Malaika Arora Khan. On 28 March 2016, they announced their separation, citing compatibility issues. The couple officially divorced on 11 May 2017. Together they have a son, Arhaan Khan, born on 9 November 2002. After the divorce Arora maintained primary custody of their son, while Khan received visitation rights, as per the settlement reached in the Bandra Family Court. Bollywood actor Salman Khan and actor-director-producer Sohail Khan are her former brothers-in-law. Her former father-in-law was scriptwriter Salim Khan.

Arora entered into a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor in 2016. Arora and Kapoor broke up in 2024. Arora began a relationship with Dino Morea in early 2025. She became a vegan in 2020.

In April 2022, she had an accident on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway when three cars collided with each other as she was returning home from an event. She was taken to the Apollo Hospital in Navi Mumbai where she received stitches. Her stepfather Anil Mehta died by suicide in 2024.

Filmography

As actress and dancer

• 1997: Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha
• 1998: Dil Se - special appearance in song "Chaiyya Chaiyya"
• 1999: Pyar Ke Geet - special appearance in song "Dholna"
• 2000: Bichhoo - special appearance in song "Ekwari Tak Le"
• 2001: Indian - special appearance in song "Yeh Pyar"
• 2002: Maa Tujhhe Salaam - special appearance in song "Sone Ke Jaisi Hai Meri Jawaani"
• 2002: Kaante as Lisa
• 2005: Kaal - special appearance in song "Kaal Dhamaal"
• 2007: Heyy Babyy - special appearance in song "Heyy Babyy"
• 2007: Athidhi - special appearance in song "Rathraina" (Telugu film)
• 2007: Om Shanti Om - special appearance in song "Deewangi Deewangi"
• 2007: Welcome - special appearance in song "Hoth Rasiley"
• 2008: EMI as Nancy
• 2009: Helloo India
• 2010: Prem Kaa Game - special appearance in song "I Wanna Fall in Love"
• 2010: Housefull as Pooja
• 2010: Dabangg - special appearance in song "Munni Badnaam Hui"
• 2012: Gabbar Singh - special appearance in song "Kevvu Keka" (Telugu film)
• 2012: Housefull 2 - special appearance in song "Anarkali Disco Chali"
• 2012: Dabangg 2 - special appearance in song "Pandey Ji Seeti"
• 2014: Happy New Year - cameo appearance as herself
• 2015: Dolly Ki Doli - special appearance in song "Fashion Khatam Mujh Par"
• 2018: Pataakha - special appearance in song "Hello Hello"
• 2022: An Action Hero - special appearance in song "Aap Jaisa Koi"
• 2023: Kho Gaye Hum Kahan - herself (cameo)
• 2024: Yek Number - special appearance in song "Majha Yek Number"
• 2025: Thama - special appearance in a song "Poison Baby"

As producer

• 2010: Dabangg – Filmfare Award for Best Film, National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
• 2012: Dabangg 2
• 2015: Dolly Ki Doli

Television

Awards

• National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment (producer) - Dabangg (2010)
• Filmfare Award for Best Film (producer) - Dabangg (2010)

References

References

1. (23 October 2019). "On Malaika Arora's birthday, a look at her most iconic fashion moments". The Indian Express.
2. (28 March 2016). "Malaika Arora Khan, Arbaaz Khan confirm split. Read their statement".
3. Sharma, Amul. (7 April 2009). "Malaika's an ink queen". Mid-Day.
4. (23 October 2019). "On Malaika Arora's birthday, a look at her most iconic fashion moments".
5. "Malaika Arora Khan – "I won't unnecessarily fool around with Salman, and nor are we on backslapping terms!"".
6. "I have special memories of Thane".
7. Gupta, Priya. (6 January 2015). "Malaika Arora Khan: Arbaaz is a complete reflection of his dad". [[The Times of India]].
8. (11 September 2024). "When Malaika Arora Called Her Parents' Divorce 'Tumultuous': It Wasn't Easy". Times Now.
9. (16 June 2006). "Chembur will always be our home". Mid-Day.
10. "New VJs on the Block".
11. "Malaika Arora – Biography". Netglimse.com.
12. "Munnif Badnaam Hui., a big hit!". India Imagine.
13. (16 March 2011). "Munni in Guinness Book of Records". [[The Times of India]].
14. "Malaika Arora Launches 'Taiwan Excellence Campaign 2012'".
15. Sagar Malviya. (5 October 2012). "Dabur ropes in Malaika Arora Khan to endorse '30-Plus'".
16. (30 September 2012). "I never wanted to do acting: Malaika".
17. "Bipasha Basu, Atif Aslam, Malaika Arora Khan to perform UK gigs".
18. (20 January 2014). "Malaika Arora Khan: "I am doing a cameo in Happy New Year"". Digital Spy.
19. (7 October 2008). "What sore losers men can be: Malaika". Hindustan Times.
20. (16 December 2010). "Still with the moves, Madhuri returns to TV". The Indian Express.
21. Khan, Malaika. "Judging in TV show".
22. (20 December 2019). "MTV Supermodel of the Year: What to expect from Malaika Arora, Masaba Gupta's reality show". India TV.
23. "Pic: Malaika and Arbaaz attend first counselling session after filing for divorce – Times of India ►".
24. (30 November 2016). "Malaika Arora Khan, Arbaaz Khan attend first counselling session during divorce proceedings".
25. (February 2022). "theedgymind.com".
26. "MALAIKA ARORA KHAN".
27. "Malaika Arora – Biography". [[Yahoo! Movies]].
28. (30 June 2019). "Malaika Arora: "If I want to marry a man younger than me, it's not your problem!"". Hindustan Times.
29. (3 August 2019). "Malaika Arora Shares Details About Her Relationship and Marriage Plans with Arjun Kapoor".
30. (25 October 2018). "Malaika and Arjun holding hands at Milan airport sets tongues wagging".
31. (29 October 2024). "Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora: Single hoon main".
32. (12 March 2025). "Dino Morea confirms he is in a romantic relationship, calls marriage a 'social construct': 'I'd love to get married and live with that person'". The Times of India.
33. "New couple in Bollywood: Dino Morea And Malaika Arora, The Stunning Couple Spotted After Their Dinner Date {{!}} N18S News18".
34. (14 December 2024). "मलाइका को लगाया गले, फ‍िर किया Kiss, पुराने दोस्त ड‍ीनो से मिलकर खुश दिखीं एक्ट्रेस".
35. Ajmera, Dhwani. (13 January 2022). "The 'Green Life': Did you know these Bollywood celebrities are vegan?". lifestyleasia.com.
36. (3 April 2022). "Malaika Arora discharged from hospital after car accident; friend shares she got few stitches but is doing okay". Bollywood Hungama.
37. (12 September 2024). "Malaika Arora's stepfather Anil Mehta's funeral: Son Arhaan, ex-husband Arbaaz Khan, Arjun Kapoor pay last respects". The Indian Express.
38. (11 September 2024). "Malaika Arora's Father Dies, Actor Reaches Mumbai Residence". [[NDTV]].
39. (23 October 2021). "Chaiyya Chaiyya to Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha: Malaika Arora is numero uno as Bollywood's dancing diva". The Indian Express.
40. (22 January 2022). "'Chaiyaa Chaiyaa' girl Malaika Arora defends Bollywood item numbers, says she liked being the 'object of desire'". The Times of India.
41. "rediff.com: Malaika's first speaking role!".
42. (18 January 2014). "Malaika Arora Khan: Just doing a cameo in Happy New Year". NDTV.
43. (22 December 2014). "Exclusive: Malaika Arora in item song 'Fashion Khatam Mujh Pe' in Dolly Ki Doli". The Times of India.
44. Jain, Arushi. (5 September 2018). "Pataakha song Hello Hello: Malaika Arora shows off her dance moves". The Indian Express.
45. (26 November 2022). "Malaika Arora Bollywood Item Dance Aap Jaisa Koi meri An Action Hero Ayushmann Khurrana Jaideep Ahalawat । Malaika Arora Item Dance: आप जैसा कोई मेरी... गाने पर मलाइका की अदाओं ने किया घायल, डांस ने मचाई धूम". Zee News.
46. (29 January 2011). "Udaan, Dabangg top winners at Filmfare Awards". The Times of India.
47. (19 May 2011). "Dabangg Wins National Award for Wholesome Entertainment — NDTV". Movies.ndtv.com.
48. "Tribuneindia... Film and tv".
49. (16 September 2002). "Anusha Dandekar takes over from mom-to-be Malaika Arora as host of MTV Style Check".
50. (19 December 2004). "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - A model style guru". Tribune.
51. (19 November 2013). "Hostess with the mostest". DNA India.
52. (16 March 2022). "Malaika Arora is back on India's Got Talent". The Indian Express.
53. (8 December 2019). "India's Best Dancer: Malaika Arora, Geeta Kapoor & Terence Lewis To Judge New Dance Show".
54. (2 September 2022). "Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives 2 First Impression: It's twice as dramatic as the women dig out skeletons from their designer closets". The Indian Express.
55. (6 December 2022). "'Moving In With Malaika': Malaika Arora Talks About Her Separation With Arbaaz Khan, Reveals She Proposed To Him".
56. Jain, Arushi. (5 September 2018). "Pataakha song Hello Hello: Malaika Arora shows off her dance moves". The Indian Express.