Malaika Arora

Malaika Arora (born 23 October 1973) is an Indian actress, dancer, model, VJ, and television personality who appears in Hindi-language films. She made her debut as a film producer in 2008, with former husband Arbaaz Khan, founding the company Arbaaz Khan Productions, which has created the Dabangg film series. As an actress, Arora has starred in main roles in films Kaante (2002) and EMI (2008). As a dancer, she is acclaimed for her performances in 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 (derived from the Arabic plural form مَلَائِكَة‎ malāʾika) meaning “angel”.  She was born in Thane, Maharashtra.  Her parents divorced when she was 11 years old and she moved to Chembur with her mother, and sister Amrita. Her mother, Joyce Polycarp, is a Malayali and her father, Anil Arora, was a Punjabi native to Indian border town of Fazilka, who worked in the Indian Merchant Navy.

She completed her secondary education from Swami Vivekanand School in Chembur. Her aunt, Grace Polycarp, was the principal of the school. She is also an alumnus of the Holy Cross High School Thane where she studied until ninth grade. She pursued her college education from Jai Hind College, Churchgate but did not complete it on account of professional engagements. She lived in Borla Society, Chembur opposite Basant Talkies before starting her modelling career.

Personal life

Malaika was married to Bollywood actor-director-producer Arbaaz Khan in 1998 whom she met during a coffee ad shoot. Since her marriage with Arbaaz until they got divorced, she was known as Malaika Arora Khan.  On 28 March 2016, they announced separation citing compatibility issues.  The couple officially got divorced on 11 May 2017.  Together they have a son, Arhaan Khan, born on 9 November 2002.  The custody of the son after the divorce is with Malaika, while Arbaaz has visitation rights on his son, 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.

Malaika has been in a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor since 2016.  In April 2022, Arora met with 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 got few stitches.

Filmography

As actress and dancer

• 1998: Dil Se.. in Chaiyya Chaiyya
• 1999: Pyar Ke Geet in Dholna
• 2000: Bichhoo in Ekwari Tak Le
• 2001: Indian in Yeh Pyar
• 2002: Maa Tujhhe Salaam (cameo appearance)
• 2002: Kaante as Lisa
• 2005: Kaal in Kaal Dhamaal
• 2007: Heyy Babyy in Heyy Babyy
• 2007: Athidhi in Rathraina (Telugu)
• 2007: Om Shanti Om in Deewangi Deewangi
• 2007: Welcome in Hoth Rasiley
• 2008: EMI as Nancy
• 2009: Helloo India (cameo appearance)
• 2010: Prem Kaa Game in I Wanna Fall in Love
• 2010: Housefull (2010 film) as Pooja
• 2010: Dabangg in Munni Badnaam Hui
• 2012: Gabbar Singh in Kevvu Keka (Telugu film)
• 2012: Housefull 2 in Anarkali Disco Chali
• 2012: Dabangg 2 in Pandey Ji Seeti
• 2014: Happy New Year (cameo appearance)
• 2015: Dolly Ki Doli in Fashion Khatam Mujh Par
• 2018: Pataakha in Hello Hello

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

Album