Malaika Arora has spoken candidly about her marriage with Arbaaz Khan, their eventual divorce, and how she rebuilt her life after separation. The actress-model, who tied the knot with Arbaaz in 1998, ended
the marriage in 2016. They share a 22-year-old son, Arhaan Khan, and continue to co-parent him.
In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Malaika admitted that although she had hoped her marriage would last forever, sometimes relationships don’t go as planned.
“I Would Have Loved Forever, But It Didn’t Happen”
“I would have loved for my marriage to be forever, but that didn’t happen. That doesn’t mean I have lost faith in love or that I regret my decision. Things that were meant to happen, happened,” she said.
Malaika revealed that while both she and Arbaaz tried to work on their relationship, they eventually realised it wasn’t sustainable. “It came to a point where we decided that this marriage is not going to work. At that point, I needed to be happy before making anybody else happy. I was not happy,” she explained.
Putting Herself First – And Facing Backlash
The actress also addressed criticism around her decision, with some labelling it “selfish.” For her, however, choosing herself was essential for growth.
“That may be selfish to you. But I did what I felt was right. That decision has helped me become a better person, more at ease with myself, and in a happier space. My son is also much happier now. He would not have wanted to grow up in a household that wasn’t conducive,” Malaika clarified.
Co-Parenting Arhaan With Arbaaz Khan
On navigating co-parenting with Arbaaz, Malaika admitted it hasn’t always been easy.
“It has its challenges. I cannot say it’s the easiest thing on earth, because it is not. But after all these years, we have found a good balance,” she said.
Today, Malaika Arora stands as an example of someone who chose personal happiness and well-being over societal judgment. Her journey reflects the strength it takes to walk away from what doesn’t serve you, while still prioritising love, family, and stability for her child.
