Malaika Arora has been part of the industry for many years and continues to be known for her fitness, fashion, dance performances, and strong individuality.
She has faced trolls and constant public scrutiny, yet she remains calm, confident, and focused on her own journey. In a recent interview with a media portal, Malaika opened up about dealing with negativity, staying relevant, keeping her passion alive, and how she views her career choices, especially around dance numbers. She also spoke about the legacy she wants to leave behind for future artistes, especially young women.
Malaika Arora on dealing with trolls
Malaika shared that, over time, she has learned to stay grounded and focus on what truly matters instead of reacting to online hate. Speaking about handling negativity and trolling, she told Hindustan Times, “I’ve learned to focus on my truth, and I don’t let negativity decide my self-worth. Trolls will be trolls, but I choose not to engage with that toxicity. My family, friends, and my own peace of mind matter more.”
She mentioned that staying relevant in showbiz is not just about looks or trends, but about constant improvement in different areas. She explained, “It’s about evolving with the times without losing your core. You have to keep learning, stay fit, reinvent your style, and most importantly, keep your passion alive. I never want to be complacent or stuck in a particular image. And relevance also comes from being real.”
Malaika hopes her career sets a strong example for young women who want to make bold choices. She added, “I hope my legacy is about fearlessness, about embracing your individuality, standing tall against judgments, and carving your path. If young performers, especially women, feel confident about choosing their own path because of something I did, that would be the greatest legacy.”
Talking about her professional journey, Malaika admitted that acting didn’t give her the same excitement as performing dance numbers. She said, “It’s true, acting never gave me the same rush as performing a dance number. I enjoyed it, I really did, but dance feels like home to me. I believe in playing to my strengths, and for me, that has always been performance and the magic of the stage.”
Malaika also addressed the label of "item numbers" and how it has evolved over the years. She shared, “Definitely, the label 'item number' felt a bit limiting, but today I see so many artistes taking it as a creative challenge. The focus is more on performance, concept, and how a song fits into the narrative, instead of just being a visual treat. There’s more respect for what goes into making these numbers.”
