Malaika Arora Opens Up On Divorce With Arbaaz Khan: 'It Was Important For Me To Be Happy'

For all the talk today about choice, independence and starting over, it’s easy to forget how different the conversation around divorce was not too long ago. Actor and entrepreneur Malaika Arora has now spoken about that gap — and how isolating it felt when she decided to walk away from her marriage years ago. Malaika Arora’s divorce came with a cost Malaika separated from actor-director husband Arbaaz Khan in 2016, with their divorce finalised a year later. Looking back, she says the backlash didn’t just come from strangers or gossip columns. It came from people she trusted. “I faced a lot of judgment and backlash, not just from the public, but even from my friends and family. I was questioned about all my choices at that point. Nonetheless,

I’m so happy that I stuck by my choices. I have no regrets. I didn’t know what was in store for me. I didn’t know what lay ahead. But I knew at that point, I needed to make that move in my life. I felt it was important for me to be happy. Nobody understands that; they are like, ‘How can you put your happiness first?’ But I was okay being on my own. At the most, what (would happen)? I won’t have work for a bit, and people will say certain things,” she said during a conversation with India Today. ‘The rules are different for women’ Malaika also pointed out how differently society reacts when a woman makes the same choices a man does. She didn’t mince words while calling out that imbalance. “Unfortunately, those questions are never asked. Those eyebrows are never raised. At some level, it’s just understood that we live in a patriarchal society, and this is how things are. There is never any judgment when it comes to certain aspects in the case of men. Unfortunately, women have to bear the brunt of it daily. And if there’s a woman who moves away from the typical, she is no longer the ideal woman. Immediately, things are said, and fingers are pointed. But if you move away from that and make a life, set an example, then you’re doing something right,” she added. Still believes in marriage, just not chasing it Despite everything, Malaika made it clear she hasn’t turned cynical about love or marriage. She just no longer sees it as something that must happen on a timeline. “I do believe in marriage, but that doesn’t mean it’s meant for me. If it happens, great. But I’m not seeking it. I’m very content. I was married. Then I moved beyond that. I’ve been in relationships. But I am not jaded. I still love my life. I love the idea of love. I love being loved and sharing love. I love being in a situation where I can nurture something beautiful. So, I’m totally open to it. But at the same time, I’m not seeking it. If it happens… if it comes knocking at my door, then I will,” she noted. Advice she’d give her younger self Malaika also reflected on marrying young. She tied the knot at 25, a decision she now feels came too early. “Please don’t make the mistake of getting married so young. Yes, beautiful things have happened (during marital life), the best being that I had my kid early. But live and experience life a bit. Then take the call to settle down. Be financially and emotionally independent before you actually settle down,” she added.