Malaika Arora

Indian actress (born 1973) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Malaika Arora (born 23 October 1973)[1] is an Indian actress, dancer, model, video jockey, and television personality who appears in Hindi-language films.[2] Known for her various supporting roles and item numbers since the late 1990s, Arora is cited in the media as a fitness icon.[3][4]

Born (1973-10-23) 23 October 1973 (age 52)
Thane, Maharashtra, India
OthernameMalaika Arora Khan
Occupations
  • Actress
  • dancer
  • model
  • VJ
  • television presenter
Yearsactive1997–present
Quick facts Born, Other name ...
Malaika Arora
Arora in 2023
Born (1973-10-23) 23 October 1973 (age 52)
Thane, Maharashtra, India
Other nameMalaika Arora Khan
Occupations
  • Actress
  • dancer
  • model
  • VJ
  • television presenter
Years active1997–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1998; div. 2017)​
Children1
RelativesAmrita Arora (sister)
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She made her debut as a film producer in 2008 with her former husband Arbaaz Khan,[5] founding the company Arbaaz Khan Productions, which created the Dabangg film series. As an actress, she has starred in films like Kaante (2002) and EMI (2008). She also performed in the music videos of the songs "Chaiyya Chaiyya" (1998), "Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha" (1998), "Maahi Ve" (2002), "Kaal Dhamaal" (2005) and "Munni Badnaam Hui" (2010).

Early life and background

Malaika Arora was named after the Swahili word malaika meaning "angel".[6] She was born in Thane, Maharashtra.[7] 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,[8][9][10] who raised them as a single mom. Her father shared a respectful relationship with the family.[11]

She completed her secondary education at Swami Vivekanand School in Chembur. She lived in Borla in Sindhi Society, Chembur before starting her modelling career.[12]

Career

Malaika Arora (left) with her sister Amrita Arora, 2012

Arora was selected as a VJ for MTV India when its operations began. She worked as an interviewer, hosting shows such as Club MTV,[13] and later co-hosting the shows Love Line and Style Check with Cyrus Broacha.[14] 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...[14]

In 2010, she featured in the item song "Munni Badnaam Hui" in the film Dabangg, which was produced by her former husband Arbaaz Khan.[15] On 12 March 2011, she helped set a world record with 1235 participants performing a choreographed dance to "Munni Badnaam" which she led.[16]

She was the Taiwan Excellence celebrity endorser in 2012.[17] She endorsed Dabur's 30-Plus.[18] She states that she never wanted to do acting.[19] She performed live alongside Atif Aslam, Shaan and Bipasha Basu in a series of concerts[20] at LG Arena in Birmingham[citation needed] 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.[21]

Television

Malaika appeared on the television show Nach Baliye as one of the three judges.[2] 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.[22] She was a judge on the show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2010.[23]

Malaika is on the judges panel in the show India's Got Talent.[24] 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.[25][26]

Personal life

Arora with partner Dino Morea

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.[5] On 28 March 2016, they announced their separation, citing compatibility issues.[27][28] The couple officially divorced on 11 May 2017.[29] Together they have a son, Arhaan Khan, born on 9 November 2002.[30] 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.[citation needed] 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.[2]

Arora entered into a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor in 2016.[31][32][33] Arora and Kapoor broke up in 2024.[34] Arora began a relationship with Dino Morea in early 2025.[35][36][37] She became a vegan in 2020.[38]

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.[39] Her stepfather Anil Mehta died by suicide in 2024.[40][41]

Filmography

As actress and dancer

As producer

Television

More information Year, Name ...
Year Name Role Notes
1997 Club MTV Host [13]
1999 MTV Loveline Host [51]
2002 MTV Style Check Host [52]
2004 Style Mantra Host [53]
2005–2006 Nach Baliye Judge season 1–2
2008 Zara Nachke Dikha
2008 Dhoom Macha De Host [54]
2008 Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan Herself
2009 Perfect Bride Judge
2010;2015;2023–2024 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa seasons 4, 8, 11
2012–2018;2022;

2025 -

India's Got Talent Judge season 4–8, 11, guest judge in season 9[55]
2015 Swaragini Herself
2015–2016 Power Couple Host/presenter
2017–2018 India's Next Top Model Judge season 3–4
2019–2021 MTV Supermodel of the Year Judge
2020–2022 India's Best Dancer Judge [26]
2020–2022 Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives Herself Guest[56]
2022 Moving in With Malaika Herself [57]
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Awards

References

External links

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