Confined within the four walls of her room over the past fortnight, Malaika Arora had only two friends for company — Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. The actor-anchor, who tested positive for Coronavirus on September 6, utilised the quarantine period to rediscover the joy of reading as she pored over Gone with the Wind and other classics. Having completed her 14-day isolation yesterday, the actor is scheduled to undergo another test to determine if she has triumphed in her battle against the virus.

Recounting her ordeal, Arora says she decided to make a trip to the doctor when some close acquaintances and a few crew members of India's Best Dancer complained of health issues. "Luckily, my family had not contracted the virus. I was shocked when I tested positive because I had not shown any major symptoms or experienced discomfort. I was advised to self-quarantine at home. I made sure that I didn't step out of my room, and didn't come in contact with anyone, including my son [Arhaan], the house staff and our dog Casper," says the actor-dancer.

She believes that her devotion to fitness held her in good stead as her body began its combat against the virus. "I did not have breathlessness, but showed some mild symptoms. I complained of weakness, which tends to happen when your body is fighting a disease. While I couldn't practise my yoga routine as I was weak, I made sure I performed the basic asanas, and practised breathing exercises like anulom vilom and kapalbhati."

It was difficult for Arora to face the days alone, without son Arhaan by her side. Only a few days ago, she dedicated a post to him and their pooch Casper, lamenting how she was yearning to hug them. "The biggest challenge was not being able to meet my son. We spoke to each other from our balconies."

"My advice to everyone is to exercise regularly, and consume healthy food and immunity drinks. You may or may not be able to escape the virus, but your immunity decides how much pain you will go through," says Arora, who regularly has Kashmiri kahwa with saffron, ginger and almonds to boost immunity. She also begins her day by having bite-sized balls of a homemade mixture that includes dry ginger powder, turmeric, jaggery and ghee. 

As ex-couple Rashami Desai and Arhaan Khan’s equation gets murkier, the big question is, who leaked Rashami’s bank details online?
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 22, 2020)

After joining Bigg Boss 13 as a much-in-love couple, Rashami Desai and Arhaan Khan’s relationship suffered a blow on the reality show, when it was revealed that Arhaan had a child from his first marriage. After the show ended, the actress had minced no words in saying that their relationship was over. And now, their equation has taken a murkier turn. A couple of days ago, the screenshots of Rashami’s bank statements were posted on social media, apparently by one of her fans. It showed that lakhs had been transferred to Arhaan’s (originally Mazhar Shaikh) account while Rashami was inside the BB house. While Arhaan blames Rashami for the ‘leaks’, she refutes the allegation. BT spoke to both of them and this is what they had to say...

I HAVE NO CLUE WHO LEAKED THOSE STATEMENTS: RASHAMI DESAI
The actress says, “These transactions were made in my absence, and that too, without my knowledge, when I was inside the BB house. When I came out and learnt about it, I shared the screenshots of my personal documents and these transactions with my accounting staff and a few others. Why did Arhaan transfer my money into his account? Also, I don’t know the people he has further transferred those funds to. Apart from the Rs 15 lakh that Arhaan has to pay me, as can be seen in the screenshots, he owes me more money, which he is refusing to return. Talking about the screenshots, I have no clue who has leaked them on social media. If I had to leak anything, I wouldn’t have waited for two months after BB. I don’t want anything to do with Arhaan. The whole incident is disturbing and it has taken a toll on me, emotionally.”

THIS IS A CURATED PLAN TO MALIGN ME: ARHAAN KHAN
Arhaan says, “Nobody can release these statements except Rashami or me. Since the allegations are against me, it’s obvious that she leaked those screenshots. Half the transactions involving huge amounts aren’t mine. Rashami had set up a production house, which I had joined as a partner. I have invested equally, both financially and emotionally. Any transfer of funds is either my rightful profit or return of debt. Also, before making such allegations, it is to be noted that transfer of funds wouldn’t have been possible had Rashami not given me signed cheques. She had asked me to transfer money to certain people in her absence. It was work-related. She was fully aware of the transactions and I have bills to prove my claim. I strongly believe that this is a curated plan to malign me, as I had received messages, warning me against adversities post April 15. It’s unfortunate that our relationship has reached a point of no return.”

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; February 27, 2020)

By her own admission, her journey on Bigg Boss 13 was nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. Rashami Desai, who took a while to understand the game and come into her own, had a rather tough stay inside the house, when she learnt about her beau Arhaan Khan’s marriage and also the fact that he has a child with his former wife. Days after the reality show concluded, BT caught up with Rashami to know about the status of her relationship with Arhaan, her equation with other inmates on the show — friend-turned-foe-turned-friend Sidharth Shukla and Asim Riaz. Excerpts...

You had a rather tumultuous journey on Bigg Boss, laced with several ups and downs. You learnt about Arhaan’s marriage and fatherhood on national television. However, the way you handled the situation was appreciated by the audience...
Many people judged me inside the house, but I didn’t care as I was being true to myself. I am the only one who had such a tough journey on the show. I got time to take stock of the situation and also learnt about what was happening in the outside world through people who visited the house. I got to know what he (Arhaan) was talking about me and our relationship. On the show, he once said that unhone mujhe sadak par se uthaya hai. It was quite funny. Yes, there was a time when I didn’t have a house and was going through financial troubles, but I was never at his mercy. Those things hurt me, but I stood like a wall for him inside the house so that nobody could say anything to him. I have never spoken badly about him even after his exit from the show. I won’t say anything bad about him even now, because he is a closed chapter for me.

It was reported that you took up the show so that Arhaan could get a chance to be a part of it, too. Is that true?
Yes, that was one of the reasons. I thought main agar yeh show karti hoon toh usko ek opportunity mil jaayegi, but I had no idea that the situation would backfire.

Did he try to get in touch with you after the show ended?
He tried to reach out to me via text messages. I, too, need some answers and will meet him. I didn’t know about his marriage and child. I haven’t even met his parents. I just know that he has three sisters and one brother. I am not aware of his two houses in Mumbai either. The gem business he talks about is owned by his dad. I didn’t expect him to hide such a big aspect of his life from me. It came as a shock; at one point, I contemplated leaving the show, as I wasn’t able to handle it. I realised that after one point, the game wasn’t about how I was dealing with other inmates, it was more about how I was tackling the situation at hand with him. I think it was a good decision to not leave the house, kyunki main baahar aati toh mujh par questions uthte ki I used him for the show. I don’t harbour any ill feeling for him even today.

Looking back, do you think that Arhaan used you emotionally and your popularity to his benefit?
I believe that he used me emotionally. I don’t want to comment on other things at this moment.

When your relationship with Arhaan started out, were you hoping to get second time lucky in love? (Rashami got married to actor Nandish Sandhu in 2012, and the duo got divorced in 2016). In such a scenario, when you are hoping against hope, taking the ultimate call to end this relationship must have been heartbreaking and really tough?
It was difficult because I couldn’t detach myself. You always wish for a relationship to culminate in a life-long commitment, but it was not meant to be. I have realised that I don’t need a man to take care of me, but someone who can understand and respect me as a partner. You learn from your mistakes. Failing in one aspect doesn’t mean you have failed in life. I made a decision and have moved on beautifully. I lost my father at a very young age and maybe, that’s why mujhe aadmiyon ki pehchaan nahi hai.

Have you developed trust issues because of these bitter experiences?
I had trust issues earlier, too, but I don’t see anything wrong in it. Transparency makes a relationship stronger, but if the person isn’t ready to give you answers, there is trouble. There should be no reason to lie in a relationship. I have been an independent woman all my life, and I have taken care of people associated with me. I can’t trust everyone and it’s natural.

On a lighter note, ab ghar ki chabi kiske paas hain?
Abhi, aapke aur mere beech mein jo mera bag hai usme hai mere ghar ki chabi (laughs!)

While your journey on Bigg Boss was a roller-coaster ride, you also made some friends on the show. In fact, you forged a strong friendship with Asim Riaz, which has been liked by everyone...
Asim and I started talking in December. Before that, we would fight a lot. He took his time to come around and maybe, that made our friendship stronger. We understood each other well and he did things for me without making a noise about it. He is genuine. We became closer because of the situations we faced inside the house. We don’t expect anything from each other. I am just thankful to him for standing by my side.

Your equation with Sidharth Shukla also became a talking point on the show. In the past, your friendship with him had turned sour while both of you were working together on the TV show, Dil Se Dil Tak (DSDT). Recently, you were also seen on a couple of episodes of the reality show, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, with him. Do you two still fight?
I am sure that four-and-a-half months ke baad usko meri aadat ho chuki hogi, aur mujhe uski (laughs!). Sidharth and I had contrasting points of view and differences of opinion, because of which, we would often fight on the set of DSDT. As I always say, he is like a 10-year-old boy trapped in a big body. Keeping aside our differences, we were extremely professional; he was cordial and cooperative on the show we had worked on. We just couldn’t stop fighting even after becoming friends during the course of the show (laughs!). Later, when the fights became intense, I decided to end our friendship. Aisi dosti ka kya faayda jisme aap apne dost ko nahi samajh paa rahe ho.

There were rumours of Sidharth and you being a couple during DSDT, though briefly. Were the two of you in a relationship then and how would you describe your equation today?
No, we were not in a relationship then. Hamaare bohut jhagde hue hain Bigg Boss mein, but towards the end of the show, hamaare beech mein ek achhi understanding bann gayi thi.

What are your future plans?
I have been working for years and work will always be my priority. I will take up a TV show if I like the concept. I would also like to dabble in theatre to hone my acting skills and upgrade myself.

Are you willing to give love and marriage another chance?
It’s very difficult for me to answer this question, because I have gone through so much. I am not thinking about either at this point and am focusing solely on work. If it has to happen, it will.

The popular VJ of the ’90s on waking up early, having no patience for trolls, and building her yoga empire
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 5, 2020)

Malaika Arora was nursing a hamstring injury when she was introduced to yoga seven years ago. It turned into a deeper relationship when she noticed the ancillary benefits, which included “just feeling much better”. “I was also in a phase of life where I felt I needed some direction, and yoga brought me a lot of calm,” she says. So, when she was approached to be the brand ambassador of a yoga chain, she wanted to get more involved. “I didn’t want to be just the face [of the brand] because there were 30,000 other opportunities that I could consider,” she says.

Today, she’s on the verge of building a business empire. Her year-old chain of exclusively-for-women yoga studios aims to double its footprint the next 12 months, and reach as many as 100 million health-conscious customers in five years. “The air you breathe and the food you eat these days are nothing, if not questionable. Fitness is the only thing that you can be certain is unadulterated,” says the 44-year-old former VJ. “I am still learning. I knew nothing of the business when I got into it. Every day, I keep asking questions.” Recently, her first venture, an online fashion label, which she co-founded with actor Bipasha Basu and interior designer Sussanne Khan, clocked four years.

Arora has steadily fashioned herself as a multifarious personality, dabbling in entrepreneurship, reality TV and movies — all the while looking her dazzling best. She attributes the transformation to waking up early, going vegan and glutenfree, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “I don’t think I’ve felt this good. I’m doing something right,” she says. Her protean sense of style too, always grabs eyeballs. “It’s mood-driven… there are days I’m feeling peppy and days I feel sexy,” says Arora, who considers Madonna, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Kareena Kapoor Khan her fashion icons. “I love a saree on anybody. Even my mom can rock it in a saree and big bindi,” she says.

No wonder then that she’s a paparazzi muse, and perhaps the most photographed celebrity after Taimur Ali Khan. She maintains, however, that press photographers by and large have been “very nice and understanding” to her. “There are times, I’ve requested them not to click me and they’ve obliged,” she says, adding that she understands “it’s their job” to capture candid moments of celebs.

She also lauds the media for having seen her through a rather grueling patch — the end of her 18-year-old marriage with actor and producer Arbaaz Khan. “The media has been respectful and no one has stepped on my toes,” she says. “It’s a process… you can’t expect everything and everybody to be okay about things, right away. It takes time.”

Through all this, her 17-year-old son, Arhaan, who she considers to be the “most important person in her life”, has stood by her “like a pillar” and that Arbaaz and her have a mutual understanding to be equally present in his life.

Arora became popular as a VJ in the ’90s, a profession that, she feels, shot itself in the foot, and was “phased out by reality shows, which the youth started identifying with”. “But that’s what gave me a platform and opened so many doors for me,” she says. One can hardly forget her iconic stint in the TV show she co-hosted with Cyrus Broacha, where they fielded live callers about their relationship woes. A dial-in agony aunt was pathbreaking for Indian television at the time, and Arora says that it continues to be an extension of her personality. “I’m quite the one that everyone turns to for advice… they automatically speak to me,” she says. “In fact, my friends always say that since I’m not judgmental, it’s easy to talk to me.”

Arora is as savvy when it comes to being a social media sensation. “Every decade, there’s something new… if you use these tools right, it’s brilliant. It has wonderful reach and the benefits are for everyone to see,” she says, adding that her posts comprise a mix of her work and personal life.

It is also a space where she occasionally engages with fans and fan clubs. “Some just reach out to me because they connect with the choices that I’ve made as a woman.” Like any hotshot influencer, Arora draws her share of trolls too — some even pass jibes about her relationship. But she simply chooses to ignore them. “I have no patience for noise and there’s enough and more going on in my life,” she says. “I’m a non-controversial person and I don’t go around saying things out of context, unless I need to or am provoked. But if I have to voice my opinion, I certainly do.”

Arhaan Khan spoke to Bombay Times soon after he was evicted from the Bigg Boss house
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; December 31, 2019)

Ever since he entered Bigg Boss, Arhaan Khan was in the eye of the storm — for his current relationship with Rashami Desai and the fact that he was married and has a child, too. Arhaan had two stints on Bigg Boss this season. While the first one lasted for 14 days, the actor entered the house again and stayed for 28 days.

Just when things were going fine between him and Rashami in the house, his past was brought up in one of the weekend episodes. Host Salman Khan revealed that Arhaan was not only married, but has a child, too. Rashami looked shocked at the revelation about the child, and it took the inmates by surprise, as they expected her to know everything about Arhaan’s past.

However, some felt that bringing up Arhaan’s past in such a manner wasn’t right. So, what does he have to say about it? “Everyone has a past and so do I, which is now known to all. We don’t stay together; we are divorced,” says Arhaan.

Arhaan adds, “Yeh rishta chaar-paanch saal pehle khatam ho chuka hai. It lasted only for around six months; it’s too personal for me to talk about. She (ex-wife) is settled abroad with her family and my son is five years old. She has started life afresh and is engaged to somebody now,” he replies.

Did Rashami know that he has a child? He says, “Rashami wasn’t really aware of it, I had given her a hint, though. We had decided that we won’t bring our past in between us. Also, we were dealing with certain other issues on the personal front and these things didn’t come up then. It wasn’t the right time to tell Rashami about it. Main khud hi bata deta during the course of the show. But ekdum se jo bomb phoota aur jis tarah se cheezein aayi saamne, I was shocked.”

Arhaan is unhappy with the way his past was brought up on the show. Ask him if he is upset with Salman for revealing it on national television and he replies, “Main Salman bhai ke liye kuchh bhi nahi kehna chaahta, because he is our idol. Unhone jo kiya hai behtar soch kar hi kiya hoga. But yes, I have a grouse with the channel. Why were details of my personal life and past brought up when something like this has never happened in any season so far? It’s unprecedented. Rashami ki aankhein kholni thi, but not at the cost of my personal life. Even Devoleena Bhattacharjee, who came for a task, raked it up immediately after entering the house. That was very wrong.”

Rashami’s cousin, who had come on the show, had also cautioned her against getting too close to Arhaan. The actor says, “I don’t want to speak about what her family thinks of me or our relationship, as they are entitled to their opinion. What matters is whether all this has affected our relationship or not. No, it hasn’t.”

He adds, “Rashami and I know where our relationship stands today. We are more than friends and in love. Our relationship has in fact become stronger after that incident. I am happy with the fact that Rashami handled it maturely.”

It was also alleged that Arhaan’s family has been using Rashami’s flat while she is away. Refuting it, he says, “Neither my family nor I lived in Rashami’s flat or used her car. My family is well-settled and in the jewellery business. We own three flats in the city, so we don’t need to live anywhere else.”

But that’s not it. There was more drama unfolding outside when Arhaan was busy forging a relationship with Rashami inside the house. A girl named Amrita Dhanoa, claiming to be his ex-girlfriend, filed a case of fraud against him, accusing him of not returning the money he had borrowed from her. Refuting the claim, Arhaan says, “I have never dated her, so the question of borrowing money from her doesn’t arise. I think this is a publicity stunt.”

Now that his relationship with Rashami has become stronger, is marriage on the cards anytime soon? “Itna taamjhaam hone ke baad kaun soch paayega. I want her to come out and take some time to think about it. I don’t want to impose myself on her. I am certain that more people will try to instigate her against me once she is out. So, I want to wait and see how she deals with it,” he replies.

Arhaan is also upset with Sidharth Shukla’s behaviour towards Rashami inside the house. He says, “Sidharth Shukla ka muh gutter hai jisse achhi cheezein kabhi nikalti nahi hain. Unko ek aadmi aur aurat ka fark bhi nazar nahi aata. He mentioned that his family has never differentiated between the son and daughters. ‘Lado maro’, harr maa-baap kehte hain bachpan mein, but I think he has taken it way too seriously. It’s very easy for a man to say that a girl is using the woman card, but what about when you make gestures and say, ‘Aisi ladki’?”

So, who according to him is that contestant with strong chances of winning the show? “The one who I think deserves to win is Rashami, and then Asim Riaz,” he signs off.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; December 25, 2019)

Christmas is all about spreading cheer and spending time with the family. Every year, model-entrepreneur Malaika Arora makes it a point to bring in Christmas with her family and close friends. “I wait all year for this. I’m like a child who is very happy around this time,” says Malaika. “I plan my celebrations well in advance. I make notes about what my dinner table will look like and how I would like to decorate my tree and the house. I have to admit that this year has been extremely kind to me. It feels fitting to end the year on a high and what better way than doing it with your loved ones who matter to you,” she says.

This year, besides work, Malaika has been in a happy space in her personal life, too. Pictures of her holidaying with Arjun Kapoor made the rounds, and a few months ago, the couple confessed to their relationship for the first time.

When asked if Arjun will be a part of her Christmas celebrations, she says, “I am grateful for everything that has transpired in the year — personally and professionally. You often worry about how things will shape up. I am happy with the way my relationship has unfurled and my work has shaped up in the last year. This year, Christmas is special for so many wonderful reasons. And, of course, Arjun will be a part of the celebrations.”

Malaika’s mother Joyce puts together the Christmas menu every year. “I am in charge of desserts. My mother designs the menu and Amu (Amrita Arora Ladak) and I don’t have a say in it,” laughs Malaika, adding, “As children, Amu and I used to make sweets, which we don’t do now. We have a huge spread laid out on the table, which comprises traditional Christmas fare. Mom also includes dishes from different parts of the country, and some international, too. It’s like a world of food on the table, which is beautifully set by her.”

Malaika has fond childhood memories of her home being filled with cousins, uncles and aunts on Christmas day. “There would be 50-60 people at home, so imagine what the house looked like! Plus, we always had our friends and other guests coming over for the festival.

For me, Christmas has always been about getting together and spreading cheer. Everyone in my family can sing well, and they would display their skills on this day. It was also about exchanging gifts. As kids, we would put up the Christmas tree, and every year, one kid would get a chance to place the star on top of the tree. With the kind of lives we lead today, most of us don’t even get to see each other for the entire year. On this day, everyone makes an exception and gets together. If you ask me, an ideal gift that I would like to give my family would be to take them out for a holiday and enjoy a white Christmas together. We have never done that. That is my ultimate plan, and some year, I will do that for my mom.”

Like her mother, Malaika, too, has familiarised her son Arhaan with Christmas rituals. She says, “Every year, the night before Christmas, I tell him, ‘Arhaan, it’s 10 pm, we have to go for midnight mass, everyone’s waiting.’ And his response is, ‘Why can’t we go at 12?’ All said and done, we have to instill values in our kids and tell them what matters to the family. As long as they are young, you can do that. Once they are older, they barely listen. We have a large, secular family. Arhaan’s grandparents from both sides, his father (Arbaaz Khan) and I have familiarised him with our cultures and traditions. We have tried to bring him up as a secular child. Today, if anyone asks him what his religion is, he says, ‘Indian’. That makes me happy and proud as a parent. The colours of Christmas denote what the festival truly stands for. White for peace, red for love and green for abundance. Today, I pray that the world sees these colours for what they really stand.”

Every year, Malaika and Amrita, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor, and their mothers, Joyce and Babita, are seen attending midnight mass. For a long time now, the girls have brought in the festival together. When asked her about it, Malaika says, “My girl gang is very special. Every year, we attend the mass and then bring in Christmas together at Kareena’s house. The next day, we’re with our family. The reason our bond is so special is that we’ve all been brought up in a similar way, where our mothers have been the focal point of our lives. They’ve shaped us into what we are today.”

Despite being mum about whether or not Arjun Kapoor will feature in it, Malaika Arora opens up on her dream marriage plans
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 5, 2019)

Unusually tight-lipped about her relationship with Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora let her guards down during an interaction with Neha Dhupia on the latter's chat show, No Filter Neha. even though the actor- model did not reveal details of her rumoured upcoming nuptials with the Panipat actor, she did discuss what according to her was her ideal wedding plan

Arora revealed that she would prefer a beach wedding that has her walk down the aisle in an Elie Saab gown. "I'm all about a white wedding, [and have] always liked the [concept] of bridesmaids. They would be my closest girl [friends]. my girl gang," Arora said, adding that her best woman would be "my closest friend, Vahbiz Mehta."

Even though they frequent one another's Instagram posts, Arora revealed that Kapoor isn't particularly fond of her photography skills. "He thinks I do a crappy job of taking his pictures. He clicks better pictures of me, so, the pictures I take fail in comparison," said Arora who has seen each movie featuring the actor. Kapoor, she says, "is perfect," but isn't the best at handling his money.

The best way to appease Arora is by becoming an "animal person". "[I like someone who is] a dog person, or a cat person. [Pets] become family. For me, [my dog] Casper is [part of the family]. in fact, my son says that [I] love [Casper] more than I love him. He asks, 'mamma, do you love Casper or me?' I say, I have two boys and I love you both equally. He says, 'mom, can you not be diplomatic; choose me and say: You're my number 1.' I'm like, I can't say that. Arhaan is everything, but Casper is also my everything."

Heaping praise on Dhupia for shattering the set notions of beauty, Arora added, "You send out a body-positive message. You have dealt with your ups and downs, with your weight. But, you have never let it hinder you."

Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; October 13, 2019)

Malaika Arora

Actor, model and television host, Arora became every Indian man's fantasy when she danced atop a train to Chaiyya Chaiyya

When I met Vahbiz at work, I thought for a tiny person, she was dynamite. She could throw her voice and everyone was scared of her. We needed someone like her, who could crack the whip, and keep things under control without being too bossy. Since then, we have lived our lives together, and travelled across the world. The only problem: she never wakes up for breakfast and she doesn't come along for workouts. She says my warm-up is her entire workout.

Vahbiz is not just my 4 am friend. She is the all-time, anytime friend. She is the keeper of my secrets, sounding board and voice of reason. You always have one friend for one kind of need, but she is all encompassing. With her, I have no filters. She has seen me through the highs and lows, and in the business we are in, it's important to stay grounded, which she is. She will listen to all sides before she offers her opinion. If I fight with Amrita [sister], she will say, "maybe you should put yourself in her shoes." "I am there for you, but know the pros and cons before you decide for yourself", is her stand. Sometimes, she will suddenly call and inquire, "Mals, are you okay?" I think we share an umbilical cord. I am the introvert, and so, if people want to know what's going on with me—even my family and manager—they call her.

That we are both independent women, who inspire each other to be creative and self sufficient, has helped us stay together. We are very headstrong too, and have had our share of fights. Once, we didn't speak for almost a month. It was hard for the both of us to back down, and to say, I am sorry. For us, this relationship is about conversations to be had until our next trip. That's the main agenda.

Vahbiz Mehta

Mehta has spent 22 years in the fashion industry, seven as a top show director

Malaika and I go back 20 years. We met at work; she was a model and I, a backstage manager. We were thrown together into sharing rooms when we travelled, and discovered that we liked the same things. For starters, we were non-smokers. We are obsessive about tidiness, and we both love South Indian food. She introduced me to the combination of curd-rice, pickle and fried fish.

But my first impression of her was from the point of view of a show director. I thought to myself: how is she a model? She was 5 feet 3 inches! But then I saw her walk the ramp, and how she owned it. She looked six feet tall. And this is all before Chaiyya Chaiyya. She was already famous; she was seeing Arbaaz [Khan], and she had done the infamous MR Coffee ad. But she was surprisingly approachable.

Even before cell phones came into our lives, we'd speak every day, and keep track of each other's schedules. We have seen each other through our weddings and the birth of children, and we have traveled a great deal — America, Greece, the Maldives. I think once people travel together, they realise if they can be friends or not. And we were alike, except that she is delusional when it comes to how much she can shop. Once in Cairo, we went to a home decor store where they had set packs made for the bedroom, for the kitchen, and so on. She bought the whole set for all rooms. At the end of that trip, I was sitting on her suitcase, trying to ram everything in.

When she was pregnant with Arhaan, we held a picnic on the MET [Metropolitan Museum of Art] rooftop in New York. On our Italian vacation, the best ever, we went around looking for the perfect Tiramisu, and ate it for every meal. On a deeper level, she inspires me to be a good friend. I am always giving her advice, mostly unsolicited. If she asks me for it, I tell her the truth, and she doesn't resent me for it. That's because she is down to earth to a fault. I have to tell her sometimes, 'Mals, you really need to know who you are!' She gives family and friends priority over everyone. She would rather be at a friend's place than a social gathering to be seen at. My birthday falls on May 24, and Karan's [Johar] on 25th. One year, I had a simple birthday, and he, a huge party. We wrapped up at 1.15 am, and the next day when I saw the papers, I realised she hadn't gone to Karan's, and she didn't even mention it.

Ours is an evolving friendship. We share everything. Last Sunday, I told her something important [about my life]. We have shared darker and deeper stuff over time. We are each other's retirement plan. The ultimate security blanket is not your husband, not even your children. It’s your friend. As far as love goes, we have very different tastes in men. It's all about following your heart, and seeing things through, and she is leading by example.

Here’s a look at the other actors, who are likely to be a part of the reality show
BOMBAY TIMES (September 17, 2019)

For a long time now, speculations have been rife about Sidharth Shukla being a part of this season’s Bigg Boss, but nothing was confirmed. However, BT now has it that the actor will indeed be in the house this year.

Sidharth and the channel were in talks for the past few months, but he gave the final nod just a few days ago. Incidentally, actress Rashami Desai is also a part of Bigg Boss this year. Rashami and Sidharth were paired opposite each other on the fiction show Dil Se Dil Tak, which was on air a year ago, during which the two were linked. So, it will be interesting to see them together on this show.

Meanwhile, there’s buzz that actor Arhaan Khan, who Rashami has been dating for the past few months, may also be a part of this season, which will begin towards the end of the month.

Hosted by Salman Khan, the show will see only celebrity participants this year. Dalljiet Kaur, whose messy divorce with Shaleen Bhanot made headlines a couple of years ago, is among the list of participants, whose names have been confirmed.

While Arti Singh will be a part of the show, talks are on with Shivin Narang, who, we hear, is still contemplating between a fiction show and the reality show. Devoleena Bhattacharjee, best known as TV’s Gopi bahu, has also not signed the deal yet.

The other names doing the rounds were that of Chunky Panday, Zarine Khan, Mugdha Godse, Mahima Chaudhry and Rajpal Yadav, but there are no confirmations on these yet. Jasmin Bhasin, Paras Chhabra and Avika Gor were also being considered for the show.

Ridhi Dogra, who was almost confirmed, has reportedly opted out of this season.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 4, 2019)

She has been guarding her personal life fiercely. It has been two years since her divorce with Arbaaz Khan and a year since Arjun Kapoor and she began stepping out together. Be it their adorable vacation posts or pictures of them hanging out with friends at parties, this lovable duo has been seen wearing their fondness for each other on their sleeve. In the last couple of months, there has also been speculation about an impending wedding. In an honest and candid chat with BT, Malaika Arora talks about matters of the heart, her relationships and motherhood. Excerpts:

About a year ago, Arjun Kapoor and you were spotted at a fashion show’s front row, sparking off conversations about your relationship. In less than a year, there was conjecture around your wedding. Has all this been too much to handle?
There’s a reason why some things are private. What’s for public consumption is out there. I’ve always been a private person and that doesn’t change. Yes, a lot has transpired in the last one year. A lot of people are involved in Arjun and my lives — families, friends and kids. You have to be sensitive about them, because you love and care for them. We both are sensitive people and aware of everyone around us. Nothing has been planned or made into an agenda. So far, things have unfurled organically. Yes, we have spoken about things and discussed them. Life has transitioned into a beautiful and happy space.

It has been three years since you moved on from your marriage with Arbaaz Khan and two years since the divorce. Back in 2017, you had said in an interview that you were not thinking about being in another relationship, but evidently, life has turned out differently. How did it all happen?
Firstly, I am not the first and not the last woman in this industry to get divorced. Marriage is a beautiful institution, but God forbid, if it hits a certain road bump, which eventually leads to separation or divorce, so be it. Unfortunately, we live in a society where there is so much negativity when it comes to divorce. I don’t believe in this concept of happily ever after. It’s great in a book, but there’s no such thing in our lives. You try to make the most of everything and rise to every occasion. Sometimes, it works and sometimes it doesn’t. What transpires between two people is very personal and sacred. The two people who decide to part ways are the only ones who will know the real reasons for it. For people to point fingers and insinuate is very unfair. It’s wrong to judge. Arbaaz and I have moved on, amicably. We have to be sensitive to our child (Arhaan) and his needs. When we parted ways, I felt vulnerable, though I am not a vulnerable person. I didn’t know which direction I wanted to move into. I was just sure that I have to give my child a stable environment, and to date, it has been my number one priority. Gradually, one thing led to another and now, things are how you see them today. I have to give my son a lot of credit for that. He has been very understanding and supportive of me. That was essential for me. My happiness matters the most to him and his happiness, to me. He has been instrumental in shaping my life. There were really no plans of being in another relationship, but things happened organically. We’re now in a phase of our life where we need to give our relationship that respectability by acknowledging each other’s presence.

What attracted you the most about Arjun?
It’s very difficult to find someone who understands you. Arjun understands me. He makes me smile and laugh and he knows me inside out. I guess that just makes everything work.

When you decided to part ways after years of being married, did you feel people were quicker to judge you?
I don’t usually pay attention to trolls because if I do that, I will live a sad, pathetic and toxic life. But this is about the larger society we live in. When a man moves on, it’s fine, but a woman moving on is sacrilege. Why? A man dating a younger woman makes him a dude. But if a woman dates a younger man, people say, ‘What the hell is she thinking’. This kind of disparity has been there forever. It’s sad and I hope that this changes. A lot is changing, but it will take a while for us to get there. It’s bad that the most shocking and nasty comments are made by women towards other women. You would think that men are the ones to make sexist remarks, but what do you say to a woman who pulls other women down? Remarks about how I’m a bad mother, why I am in a relationship with someone younger, and the work that I do… have often been made in the past. If women do not support and uplift each other, how will we ever stop looking over our shoulder and change the world’s mindset towards us?

You’ve broken convention in many ways in the professional and personal space. Who would you credit for that?
My family and I have seen broken homes and separation. My mother Joyce was a single parent who brought us up on her own. She fended for us and made my sister (Amrita) and me strong individuals. I might have found my own path, but my mom has shaped my thoughts. I’m a self-made woman, a working mother and a single parent. I run my home and I take care of it all by myself. I’ve done everything on my own. No person or surname has been instrumental in it. People in my life have contributed a lot, but no one can take credit for my achievements. Unfortunately, women have to deal with bias of all kinds, all the time. For a man, whatever goes with the package is fine, but people don’t hesitate to call a woman names, if she lives her life the way she wants to. I wish more women spoke up about it.

About a year ago, when Priyanka Chopra made her relationship with Nick Jonas official, she faced similar kind of bias, trolls and negativity on social media…
I remember that. The couple has just turned it all around and silenced all the wagging tongues. But why did those tongues even wag? It’s unfair to judge relationships. Can’t a woman find love in a man younger than her? If someone makes you happy and enriches your life, what’s the harm? I am 45 and that doesn’t make me dead or someone who’s over the hill. I enjoy my life and feel happy about having such a special equation with a man younger than me. You have to forget the barriers and nurture relationships.

Do you think people on social media find just about any reason to troll you… be it for being a single parent, your work or your relationship status? How do you deal with them?
I don’t listen to what people have to say about me. I just care for what my son, my family, my partner and my friends think. I was working, and taking care of Arhaan then, and I am doing that even now. The only difference is that, back then, I was married, and now I am not. What is the hoopla all about? It’s great for people who have had long-standing marriages. But I look at things differently. Something didn’t work out, but now I have a second chance at love and companionship. Second chances are hard to come by and the most amazing opportunities in life. So, why shouldn’t I or millions of other women like me take that chance? Having a relationship doesn’t change anything for me as a parent. I’m still my son’s concierge service for everything like every mother is. How am I any less of a mother then? In fact, as a single parent, you tend to overcompensate to ensure the kid doesn’t feel an absence in his life. Arbaaz and I have parted as a couple, but we make sure nothing affects our son. It’s a lot better this way. For the rest, time is the best healer.

You have a bunch of girlfriends who have been an inseparable part of your life. How have they and your family reacted to this new phase of your life?
My friends are my life. I have a lot of female friends and we feed off each other. They’re all incredibly strong working women and we make the space happy for each other. Initially, there were some issues with the family and that’s normal, because, in their head, they think they are looking out for you and making you see sense and prevent trouble. But the family has come around, too. They know where my happiness lies. Acceptance is work-in-progress. Everyone around us has been forthcoming, but I guess it all takes time. You can’t expect people to somersault overnight and be fine with things. You have to give people their space and time to come around. You can’t push these things. People gave us our space, we need to give them theirs.

Apart from your relationship with Arjun and the time you spend with your son, you seem to be enjoying your stint as a businesswoman. While most people initially judged it as another star wife taking to business, the perception seems to have changed now...
I started off with a clothing brand and with more opportunities; I felt I wanted to be a part of this space. I was drawn to fitness and yoga, which came to my rescue when I needed it the most, and gradually, it became a part of my work. I met amazing collaborators and things have worked out well for me. Finding your feet is like trying to solve puzzles where some part of you is apprehensive and nervous. I guess you have to fail a couple of times to find success. I threw myself into the deep end to make that transition. As for comments, I hear so many even now. I’ve been working for years and I’ve done it all, except acting, and yet people ask, ‘Karti kya hai?’ ‘What is her source of income?’ ‘Paise kahan se aate hain?’ Main kya itne saal se jhak maar rahi thi? Nahi na. I have worked and I continue to do so. Sadly, if people don’t see you on the big screen, they don’t think you are doing anything constructive with your life. Everyone builds their own body of work and that must be given its due, without unnecessary scrutiny.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 1, 2018)

When we compliment Malaika Arora about how radiant she looks, the diva quips, “It’s hilarious because although I take it as a compliment, some people make it sound like I’m 70 years old. I’m 43 and I don’t care about age because it’s not that big a deal. But most of the times, people don’t get my age right. I’ve been called 45.” The self-admitted health freak has now opened a yoga studio (Diva Yoga) in Mumbai that caters to women of all ages, which she plans to expand across the country. Looking stunning in athleisure wear, Malla talks to us about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and how yoga helped her overcome tough times.

You have hardly changed in the last one-odd decade...
These compliments flatter me and make me feel that my hard work isn’t going unnoticed. I feel like I’m doing something right. I’m not doing it for someone’s appreciation. As selfish as it may sound, it’s for my longevity. It’s tough and easy at the same time.

Why do you say that?
Because no matter how unwell or tired you are or if you had a late night, you still have to hit the gym in the morning; even drag yourself sometimes. Unfortunately, we are in a field where we have to look a certain way. But then, there’s a good side to it too. It brings out a sense of happiness, well-being and confidence. I would not trade that for anything because it makes me feel good. It’s purely about self-worth.

Fitness is huge now.
Nowadays, it’s a lifestyle. I won’t call it a trend. Unlike today, it wasn’t easily accessible earlier and there weren’t many gyms. Now, there is more awareness and consciousness about fitness among people. Back in the day, I was a little more casual about health, too. There would be long hours of dancing and even one hour of it can make you faint if you aren’t fit. Now, I’m more passionate about fitness and it’s a way of life for me. I feel incomplete if I don’t work out or do yoga.

You launched Diva Yoga completely out of passion...
You hit the nail on its head. It’s truly my passion, which I channel and translate into this. I can talk about it confidently. I know a lot about everything. I do my research on health as well as nutrition and how to go about it.

How did you get the idea of a yoga studio?
I had been toying with it for a while. I was checking things out and discussing the prospects. I thought it was an opportunity that I couldn’t let go of. I loved the concept as well as the business plan and took the plunge.

Till a few years ago, fitness for women was neglected. What about now?
At the end of the day, it’s all about self-worth. Women tend to neglect themselves and get too occupied about everything else. Sometimes, we just need to do a few things purely for ourselves. We want to create a space that’s for the women, by the women and where they don’t have to look over their shoulder and feel judged or like someone’s leching at them. They should be comfortable; it doesn’t matter if they are in a pair of tights, shorts or even salwar kameez. At gyms, I see slightly older women feel awkward about sporting gym wear. That’s something I want to eradicate and if I can achieve it with Diva Yoga, I will feel I’ve made a small contribution to my tribe.

Why yoga?
For one, it helped me immensely, like thousands of people. I’m all for fitness — whether running, swimming, lifting weights or doing yoga. It creates a sense of well-being and it wasn’t just physical but also mental approach. All of us go through a lot of lows in our lives and it gave me that focus and direction. When I was going through my separation, yoga calmed me and healed me. You can do it for just 10 minutes. You don’t have to go on for an hour, although it would be fantastic if you can pull that off. You will see what wonders it does to your mind, body and soul.

What’s your daily regime like?
I’m an early riser. I wake up at around 6 am and start my day with yoga. The first 15-20 minutes involve breathing exercises and asanas. If I don’t do it, I become like a grumpy old person. There’s a sense of clarity when I do it. Apart from that, I have to handle household chores, making sure my son has everything in place, then go for meetings and office. I devote at least an hour to yoga every day, apart from working out. We just need to give ourselves a little nudge to start somewhere.

What foods do you avoid? Do you have cheat days?
I won’t call it cheating because I maintain a well-balanced diet. Fitness and food complement each other. One must never starve and do these fad diets or go crazy and binge either. We must simply follow a routine in terms of a healthy diet. If breakfast works for you, have it. Some people can’t have food in the morning, so that’s fine, too. A wholesome lunch and an early dinner are important. For me, it’s about eating at the right time and making sure I don’t have anything too late. I finish dinner by 7 pm. You can see the difference it makes.

Is Arhaan also into fitness and yoga?
Yeah! I try to instill as much as I can and force my ways. But he’s watched me all these years. He says, ‘Mom, what you are eating is fab. It can’t get healthier than this’. He is particular about fitness as well as eating right and on time. Kids his age can be whimsical and want a 3-am snack. Arhaan does that, too, sometimes when he is out with his friends. But by and large, he’s conscious of his health. I’m glad I’ve sowed that seed into him early in life.