Malaika Arora is one of Bollywood’s most iconic faces. She is known for her dance numbers, modelling, television presence, and her style
Over the years she has won hearts with songs like Chaiyya Chaiyya, Munni Badnaam Hui, Kaal Dhamaal, and more.
She is not only a performer but also a producer and fashion influencer. Malaika has remained relevant in the film and television world for over two decades.
This article traces her early life, career, achievements, personal life and legacy.

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Table of Contents
Early Life & Education of Malaika Arora
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Malaika was born on 23 October 1973 in Thane, Maharashtra. Her father Anil Arora was from Punjab, her mother Joyce Polycarp is Malayali and Christian.1
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Her name “Malaika” means “angel” in Swahili.
good morning tppl
— Malaika Arora (@MalaikaArora) March 3, 2010
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Her parents divorced when she was about 11 years old. After that she, her sister and mother moved to Chembur.
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She attended Swami Vivekanand School in Chembur and Holy Cross Convent High School in Thane. Later she enrolled at Jai Hind College in Mumbai but left due to work commitments.

Quick Facts & Statistics
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Malaika Arora (formerly Malaika Arora Khan during marriage) |
| Date of Birth | 23 October 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Thane, Maharashtra, India |
| Parents | Father: Anil Arora (Punjabi Hindu) Mother: Joyce Polycarp (Malayali Christian) |
| Siblings | Younger sister Amrita Arora |
| Height | Approx. 5′3″ (161–163 cm) |
| Education | Swami Vivekanand School, Chembur; Holy Cross High School, Thane; some college at Jai Hind College, Churchgate (did not complete) |
| Years Active | ~1997 to present |
| Professions | Actress, dancer, model, VJ (video jockey), television presenter, producer |
| Children | One son, Arhaan Khan (born 9 November 2002) |
| Marital Status | Married to Arbaaz Khan in 1998; divorced in May 2017 |
| Relationships | Since 2016, in a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor; recent reports (2025) of change in status. |
| Lifestyle | Vegan since around 2020 |
| Notable Businesses | Arbaaz Khan Productions (film producer), fashion/lifestyle brand partnerships etc. |
Malaika Arora’s Career Journey
Modelling, VJ, Early Work
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Malaika started off as a VJ on MTV India when the channel launched in India. She hosted shows such as Love Line and Style Check.
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Modelling came along early. She featured in many commercials and music albums. One early popular song video was Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha by Bally Sagoo.
Breakthrough via Dance / Item Numbers
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Her first major break in film/dance was Chaiyya Chaiyya (1998) from the film Dil Se.. where she danced on top of a moving train. That performance remains iconic.
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Over time she did many special song appearances / item numbers. Some of her famous ones are:
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Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha (1998)
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Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se, 1998)
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Maahi Ve (Kaante, 2002)
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Kaal Dhamaal (from Kaal, 2005)
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Hoth Rasiley (Welcome, 2007)
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Anarkali Disco Chali (Housefull 2, 2012)
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Munni Badnaam Hui (Dabangg, 2010)
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As Producer
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In 2008, Malaika, along with her then husband Arbaaz Khan, founded Arbaaz Khan Productions.
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Through this banner, she has produced movies like Dabangg (2010), Dabangg 2 (2012), Dolly Ki Doli (2015). Dabangg won several awards and was a big box office success.2
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Television & Reality Shows
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Malaika has been a judge and host on many television shows. Some of them:
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Nach Baliye seasons 1 & 2 (Judge)
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Zara Nachke Dikha
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Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (multiple seasons)
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India’s Got Talent
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MTV Supermodel of the Year (as judge)
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India’s Best Dancer
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Style, Brand Endorsements & Public Image
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Malaika is admired for her fitness routine and style sense. She has often been cited as a style influencer.
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She has endorsed many brands, been part of fitness/wellness projects.

Personal Life
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Malaika married Arbaaz Khan in December 1998. Their son, Arhaan Khan, was born on 9 November 2002.
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The couple separated in 2016 citing compatibility issues and officially divorced on 11 May 2017.
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Since 2016, she was in a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor. The Famous People+1
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In 2024, reports mention her father (stepfather or father) passing away by suicide.
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She adopted a vegan lifestyle in around 2020. 3
Milestones & Achievements
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Chaiyya Chaiyya remains one of the most iconic songs in Bollywood history. It gave Malaika early fame.
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Munni Badnaam Hui from Dabangg was a major hit. The film also won major awards.
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As a producer, Dabangg won the Filmfare Award for Best Film and National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Challenges & Public Attention
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Because of her public visibility, Malaika has often been subject to media scrutiny about her relationships, fashion choices, and age. She has commented publicly about being judged.
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Balancing personal life (as a mother, ex-wife) with a demanding career has featured in many interviews.
Legacy & Influence
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Malaika Arora helped define what item or special song performances could be: not just secondary dance numbers but performances with strong personality.
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Her style, fitness, confidence have inspired many younger performers.
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She has successfully built a multi-faceted career: not just dancing, but production, television, modelling, endorsements.

Filmography
| Year | Film / Video / Song | Role / Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Dil Se.. – Chaiyya Chaiyya | Special appearance / dance number |
| 1998 | Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha | Music video / album song |
| 2002 | Kaante – Maahi Ve | Dance number / special appearance |
| 2005 | Kaal – Kaal Dhamaal | Special dance number |
| 2007 | Welcome – Hoth Rasiley | Song appearance |
| 2010 | Dabangg – Munni Badnaam Hui | Huge hit dance number; also producer via her banner |
| 2012 | Housefull 2 – Anarkali Disco Chali | Song appearance |
| 2012 | Dabangg 2 – Pandey Ji Seeti | Song appearance; also production involvement for the film |
| 2015 | Dolly Ki Doli – Fashion Khatam Mujh Par | Special number appearance; also producer of the film |
| 2018 | Pataakha – Hello Hello | Song appearance |
| 2022 | An Action Hero – Aap Jaisa Koi | Song appearance |
| 2023 | Kho Gaye Hum Kahan | Cameo appearance/self appearance |
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FAQ’s
1. What is Malaika Arora’s age?
She was born on 23 October 1973. As of 2025, she is 51 years old.
2. Is she married?
No. She was married to Arbaaz Khan from 1998 to 2017. Since then she has been in a public relationship, most notably with actor Arjun Kapoor.
3. Who is her child?
Her son’s name is Arhaan Khan, born on 9 November 2002.
4. What are her famous songs?
Some of her most famous performances are Chaiyya Chaiyya, Munni Badnaam Hui, Maahi Ve, Kaal Dhamaal, Hoth Rasiley, Anarkali Disco Chali.
5. Does she act in full roles or mostly special appearances?
Mostly she has done special appearances in songs (dance numbers) rather than full-length lead acting roles. She has acted in films like Kaante, EMI but many of her popular works are song performances.
6. What about her work as a producer?
She co-founded Arbaaz Khan Productions and produced films like Dabangg, Dabangg 2, Dolly Ki Doli. Among these, Dabangg won major awards like Filmfare Best Film and National Film Award for Best Popular Film.
7. What is her educational background?
She studied at Swami Vivekanand School, Chembur; Holy Cross High School, Thane; started college at Jai Hind College, Churchgate. She did not complete her degree due to her growing career.
8. What is Malaika’s contribution to fitness/style?
She is known for her fitness, yoga, health-conscious lifestyle. She often talks about wellness. She has inspired many for her body transformation, confidence, and has been part of endorsements related to beauty, wellness, fashion.
9. Has she faced controversies?
She has faced public scrutiny over her personal life, relationships, fashion, and age (as many celebrities do). Also, songs like Munni Badnaam Hui sparked discussions and comparisons with other item numbers. But she has remained composed and maintained her career.
Recent Developments
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In recent years, Malaika has stayed active via television judging, endorsements, appearances.
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There were reports about her father (or stepfather) passing away by suicide in 2024.
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Also, her relationship status has been in news, including possible splits, new relations.
Conclusion
Malaika Arora remains a symbol of strength, style and perseverance. She did not follow the typical route of becoming a lead heroine but created her own niche through dance and personality.
She diversified her career into production, television, modelling, endorsements, fashion.
Her journey teaches that a strong personal brand, consistent fitness, evolving skills, and self-confidence can build a lasting career in an industry that keeps changing.
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