Running a restaurant beyond the romance and opening-night buzz is not for the faint-hearted. Once the applause fades, the real work begins. Set inside a 90-year-old Portuguese bungalow in Bandra, Scarlett House feels less like a celebrity venture and more like an extension of Malaika Arora’s everyday life. The idea grew organically from how she eats and hosts at home: inviting friends over, recreating dishes discovered while travelling, and paying attention to how food makes you feel after the meal, not just during it.

From the outset, the intent was clear: comfort without excess, wellness without sermonizing, and a space people would want to return to, again and again. One year into running Scarlett House, the journey has been less about trends or visibility and more about understanding the realities of hospitality: consistency, restraint, and the patience required to scale thoughtfully. These are the lessons that shaped the first year.

I wasn’t great at Math in school. Economics intimidated me; but running a restaurant forced me to confront what I once avoided — budgets and planning. Terms like net, gross, EBITDA and sales splits were unfamiliar but I learnt on the job. I don’t have a business degree, but this is real-world education.

Food and beverage is a people-facing space where you communicate daily. Beyond menus and margins, the biggest learning has been people. Teams, guests, and collaboration — there are so many moving parts, you have to understand people to run a place like this.

It’s easy to get emotionally attached to dishes and you don’t want to remove anything, but nostalgia has to be balanced with performance. When you realize some things don’t move; you edit, you tweak, you rethink. Menu building is about thinking ten steps ahead.

“Some dishes going viral surprised me. Like the khichdi and paneer thecha weren’t designed as hero dishes—they were home food. That’s what people connect to. Comfort food always finds its way.”

“Every time you’re back, it should taste exactly the same. Menus may evolve, but favourites stay. People return for familiarity—for a certain flavour, a certain feeling. That consistency is very important.”

“It’s never one person’s decision. From chefs and bar teams to marketing and design, every voice shapes the final outcome. You take a little from everybody. That’s how a collaborative business works.”

“Not every space can be a flagship. Expansion was always planned, but with restraint. The DNA stays the same, but the space adapts. We don’t want to become massy or spread ourselves thin.”

“We thought we could do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We couldn’t. Reality demanded simplification. Once we focused on what was practical, everything worked better.”

We’re in a heritage building. You have to respect the structure, the neighbourhood, the people. Behind the scenes are approvals, systems, and daily negotiations. There’s so much involved that people never see.”

Actor Malaika Arora turned a year older last month, writing on Instagram, “Thank you all for the love, the wishes, and for making my 50th truly special.” This milestone has become a talking point, not just because of the number, but because she continues to headline dance numbers in a business where ageism still shapes many women’s careers.

“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,” she tells us, adding, “I never want to be complacent or stuck in a particular image. If young performers, especially women, feel confident about choosing their own path because of something I did, that would be the greatest legacy.”

While she did try her hand at acting, Malaika admits her real impact was always forged on the dance floor: “Acting never gave me the same rush as performing a dance number. I enjoyed acting, but dance feels like home to me.”

Many of her early hits were labelled ‘item numbers’, a tag she found restrictive. “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.” As for stepping behind the camera someday, she simply says, “Never say never.”

On the personal front, she remains unfazed by scrutiny around her relationships and choices. “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,” she says, adding that her idea of love today is simple: “Love is about respect, happiness, and companionship.”

Malaika Arora’s beauty philosophy has evolved over the years, from ditching heavy powdering to embracing a dewy glow. Today, it’s all about finding the perfect balance. In this candid conversation, the actor opens up about her non-negotiable bedtime skincare ritual and reveals the quirkiest beauty treatment she’s ever tried.

“For me, beauty is about balance. I enjoy playing with one strong element — like a bold lip or dramatic eyes — and keeping the rest subtle. My little hack is to keep skin fresh and dewy; less really is more,” says the 51-year-old, adding, “I gravitate towards products that feel light and nourishing, like lip oils that add just the right amount of shine while keeping my lips healthy.”

She shares, “Longevity always starts with skin prep — hydration and primer make all the difference. When your skin feels good, your makeup naturally performs better. And the mistake I’ve learned from? Over-powdering. In my early days, I thought matte meant flawless, but I’ve realised nothing looks better than skin that still looks like skin.”

Malaika reveals that she follows a dedicated skincare ritual every night before bed, no matter where she is. “I never sleep with makeup on. Double cleansing is my golden rule, followed by a nourishing cream or oil. For me, ending the day with skincare is less routine and more a mindful gesture of love for my skin,” she says.

Recounting the weirdest beauty treatment she has tried, Malaika says: “A beauty treatment I tried once was slimy but surprisingly good. It was a snail facial! My takeaway? I’ll try anything once, but the basics always work best.”

At a recent red carpet event, Malaika Arora caught everyone’s attention when she revealed her new tattoo, albeit unintentionally. Her new ink, which reads sabr shukr, obviously has a deep-rooted meaning. We spoke to Malaika about this new addition to her life and the thought behind it.

Malaika, who is really excited about her new tattoo, explains, “For me, tattoos come at significant turning points in my life. I don’t get them just for the sake of it, they have deep personal meaning. This particular one symbolizes the year that 2024 has been for me. The words ‘patience’ (sabr) and ‘gratitude’ (shukr) are very comforting. These words resonate with me when I think about where I am now, compared to where I was just a year ago.”

2024 was a challenging year for the actress – she lost her father Anil Mehta in September. Also, her breakup with Arjun Kapoor made headlines for most part of the year.

Malaika believes that every tattoo should tell a unique story. “I see tattoos as symbols of memories and thoughts I want to carry with me forever,” she says, adding, “I got this new tattoo on the day it got revealed. They had placed a plaster over it, and it was irritating me, which is when the cameras caught it. I didn’t even realise it then. My previous tattoo was done eight years ago, after my divorce (from Arbaaz Khan). That tattoo shows three birds in flight marking a new phase in my life.”

Taking a cue from her tattoo, we ask Malaika if she is open to seek love again. She replies, “I’m not focused on that right now. These are things you can’t plan. I’m just grateful for the patience I’ve had, which has helped me reach a better headspace. I wasn’t in a great place before, but I’m in a much better, calmer and happier space now. I can’t force what happens next… if it’s meant to be, it will be.” Talking more on matters of the heart, Malaika adds, “I’ll always believe in love, until my last breath. Love drives me, and I’ll always have love in my life.”

Malaika is often seen sharing her thoughts on Instagram, leading many to believe that her posts are cryptic and hinting at certain things or people. One of her recent posts read, “Touching a heart for a second can touch a soul for a lifetime,” while another one read, “Some days you are healing, some days you are feeling, some days you are thriving, some days you are just getting by and it’s all valid.”

Talking about that, she says, “There’s nothing cryptic about my posts. They are not aimed at anyone. They are just my thoughts that I feel like sharing. People sometimes overanalyze them and create their own stories. Many of these posts are shared by my mom. I like them, so I post them on social media. That’s all there is to it.”

From being the iconic Chaiyya Chaiyya girl to slaying it at the red carpets, and the reality shows she judges, actor Malaika Arora is a force to reckon with. When it comes to style, nobody does it better than her. “Style is something inherent, and an extension of the person that you are,” she says, adding that hers has always been a reflection of her personality.

“My style is easy yet there’s a sense of being very definitive. It’s a little sexy, not very bossy; it helps me embody someone who knows what she wants,” she shares, and continues, “My style is never wishy-washy or confused. I’m very clear about things.”

Arora, who has many dance numbers to her credit, calls herself “fortunate” that she has got a free hand to experiment while doing those sequences. “I always bring a little bit of my own touch, whether it’s in terms of hair, jewellery, or some other element,” she says, confessing that there have been times she has even committed blunders, “but that’s a part and parcel of experimenting and growing up.”

The 48-year-old adds, “There’s this term ‘age appropriate’, and everybody is subjected to it at some point. But, at the end of the day, you have to learn to be comfortable in your skin and be aware of what looks good on your body and what doesn’t. So, I am aware of the parts that I’m not comfortable with, and I wear clothes which will hide them.”

That being said, Arora has been through her fair share of trolling for her choices. Unperturbed by the noise, she quips, “If you see my entire trajectory, I’ve made a career out of being criticized and trolled for my choices, for the person I am, what I wear, for everything. So, I’m very immune to it.”

Talking about the nasty comments on her social media, she adds, “I will engage with them (trolls) when I feel they need to be addressed. I don’t need to justify anything to anyone.”

Malaika Arora has always been a hands-on mom, her bond with her son Arhaan is such that they can openly share their thoughts and talk about anything under the sun. Malaika believes that encouraging free dialogue helps create a safe environment for a child. The exchange of views and banter that the two shared on Arhaan’s podcast recently, gave us a glimpse of the relationship this maa-beta has.

“The bond that a mother shares with her child is the most precious one. Every mother and her child have a different bond. While some mothers are like friends and advisors, there are a few moms who are just too strict with their children. What I want as a mom is always to be a friend to him first. It’s nicer that way because he can always confide in me,” she says.

Malaika says that their equation is such that her friends enjoy seeing the two of them together at home. “When my friends come home to hang out, they say, 'Watching Arhaan and you together is like watching a comedy show'. We are mostly cracking jokes and pulling each other’s leg. My friends tell me they would buy tickets to come and watch this comedy show,” shares Malaika.

Malaika strongly believes that parents should encourage kids to open up and share their feelings fearlessly, so that they can build a stronger bond of friendship.

She explains, “Open dialogue with your kids is very important to know what is going on in their life. We need to create a safe space for them to come and tell you whatever it may be; at the same time, you should never push them to open up if they are not ready. You should have that safe space where they can come up to you and share just about anything. I think it is important in this day and age to know what is going on in your kids’ life because they are exposed to so much that I would rather know than be in the dark.”

Kerala received its daughter with warmth, with young fashion influencers shouting, ‘I love you’ to Malaika Arora, who was in her home state for a salon inauguration. “I’m a good mix of north and south,” said the actress, who owes her Malayali roots to her mother; her father is Punjabi.

Malaika said that she used to speak a smattering of Malayalam at home in her childhood, but has lost touch now, though she still understands it well. “My mother’s side is from Alappuzha, so I’ve been here quite a few times. We still have family here,” she said, adding that she loved the local cuisine, like the puttu and kadala, which she’d had earlier that day.

I think it says a lot about me. If you can look a certain way at a certain age, that speaks volumes for the way one goes about their life. I am very proud that I am a 48-year-old independent woman, still at the top of her game and not slowing down anytime soon.

It was a family ritual to watch Malayalam films together and I’ve grown up watching Mammootty and Mohanlal movies. To date, I feel some of the finest films, in terms of content, talent and technicians, come from here. That’s why you probably have so many remakes of Malayalam films.

Sexiness could exist in the little things a woman does. That’s what this writer is thinking as she waits to chat with Malaika Arora on the sets of her new reality TV show, Moving In With Malaika. Arora is talking to a member of her team, deep in conversation, and with an imperceptible turn of her head gestures to her make-up man, who hands her a perfume bottle. As she continues to speak, she sprays a little perfume on her wrists, and gets back to work. For this writer, to whom her perfume spraying time is limited to once in the morning and one in the evening, this slight detail is important, and makes Arora even more aspirational.

Arora has always been in the public eye, but there is an aura around her that makes you feel that if you ask extra questions, you may be shown the door. When we say how a shy person like her agreed to a reality show, she corrects us, “Maybe ‘shy’ is not the right word—reserved is more like it.” But, as she emphatically states, it’s been a task to let her guard down. “There have been various moments I haven’t felt absolutely comfortable—but to just open up, that’s been a bit tough. But I will try.”

The show, which is supposed to give you a peek into the life of one of India’s most sexiest women, is aimed at being more honest, less planned. The first episode itself deals with the elephant in the room, her relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor, and her ex, actor Arbaaz Khan, as director Farah Khan chats with her. The other bits of the show out till now, talk about her work—Does she want to act in a movie? How does she plan to deal with a fear of driving after she was involved in a car accident in April? When she is surrounded by people she has known for years, like Farah or friend Neha Dhupia, she is candid and open.

“When you are in your comfort zone, you just be—you are not caught up in your head about things. But, what I love is that I can do things, and get over fears that I may have. People look at me and say, ‘What fears do you have?’ But everyone has fears,” says the 49-year-old, “and insecurities, and it’s wonderful I can work on them. I am doing things I never could—like mouth lines in front of a camera [that’s why she never acted in a movie]—and I am discovering things about myself.”

Like this writer, many women look up to Arora, for being ageless. Approaching half a century, she is in the best shape one can be. Many would be envious and/or aspire to be her as they grow older. Does the responsibility to be perfect ever get too much? “I don’t look at it as a chore,” she replies, “I feel good about it. I tell women who reach out to me, ‘It’s not easy. Nothing in life comes easy’. Everything is an uphill task—you need to give it your all. It’s easy to say, ‘she has every opportunity’. But that’s not the way it is. I have to work for every bit of it. And so does every woman. As I am in a public space, one puts extra pressure on themselves.”

Yes, and that pressure may get amplified when everyone wants to know everything about her… especially her relationships. “Let everyone tune in,” she says. “I want the show to be aspirational. It’s not cheap feeding fodder, and is not gossipy. I just wanted to talk about things we haven’t been able to talk about. People perceive me to be a diva, but there is a side to me that’s chill.”

She is clear that you once only knew her public persona, and now you know her private one too. But, there are some things she doesn’t want to touch upon more than necessary. “I am not hiding anything, I am not denying anything,” she says firmly. “Everyone knows my past, and everyone knows I am moving on. I don’t want to keep digging up my past. I address everything in the most candid way that I can, and then I want to move on.”

For now, she is basking in the comments, and the support that’s coming in. And she is also cognisant that “some people say things just for the sake of it”. “I have never been this anxious about anything in my life,” she says. “This kind of anxiety doesn’t even exist in my psyche. It was new for me, and of course, I was worried about being judged. I think people have been pleasantly surprised, as they didn’t expect me to be this candid. People have told me that a word here, or a moment here, has inspired them. Lots of women have identified with me, and that’s what matters. And the men? They can sit next to their women and enjoy the show too!”

Malaika Arora, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Amrita Arora Ladak —this is a quartet of friends, formed by two sister duos, who have been each other’s greatest confidants for around two decades now. In an industry where relationships are known to be fragile, their friendship has lasted and become stronger with every passing year, despite the highs and lows they might have gone through in their own lives.

“My girl gang is my life!” says Malaika, adding, “I still remember how upset and worried they all were when they got to know about my car accident some months ago. Every day after I returned home from the hospital, they’d be here, at my house, cheering me and ensuring that I was taken care of and was doing fine. They would leave their routines aside and spend time with me. They were pampering me and making me laugh. Their presence and prayers also gave me the strength to get back on my feet soon. I feel grateful for having them in my life.”

The besties often give a glimpse on social media of the time they spend together, either chilling out at each other’s homes, partying or on vacations — always looking like ultimate glam girls.

Elaborating on the bond they share, Malaika adds, “They’re all incredibly strong women. The reason our bond is so special is that we were all brought up in a similar way, where our mothers have been focal points of our lives. They’ve shaped us into who we are. If I had it my way, I would have gifted the four of us a show, which would be as lively and unapologetic as we are.”

Besides being sisters, Malaika and Amrita are also each other’s best friends and support system, and now, they intend to work together on a project that’s close to their hearts. “Amu and I want to do something for animals because we’re really passionate about them. We want to open a shelter together for abandoned animals and we have been talking about it,” says Malaika, adding, “I want her to be a part of a couple of other business ventures, too. The moment I speak to her, she’s all charged up.”

Amrita Arora, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Malaika Arora and Karisma Kapoor

On April 2, Malaika Arora was injured in a road accident when her car was caught in a three-vehicle pile-up as she was returning to Mumbai from Pune. While the accident completely shook her up, in a fortnight, she gathered herself and returned to shoot. In a chat with BT, Malaika talks about the day of the accident, life after it and also about what helped her get back on her feet. Excerpts:

That fateful night — I remember there was a lot of blood around me. My family, Arjun (Kapoor), and everyone had rushed in. It was after about a week that I saw myself in the mirror, finally. The scar was right there on my forehead — a stark reminder of what had happened, of the fragility of life. It wasn’t vanity that came over me at that time. Yes, vanity is crucial in this business, but it was the fact that this scar is a reminder which will stay where I will see it every day. Even though this scar will remind me of what happened, it won’t stop me from getting back to life. Sometimes, I still recall that night; I was praying for two things. I didn’t want to die that night, and I didn’t want to lose my eyesight. When the accident happened, I’m told I was constantly asking for my mother and my son Arhaan. I was mumbling about going back on set on Monday. The accident happened on a Saturday night. I didn’t go back on the Monday after the accident. But in 15 days, I did.

Initially, I was in a daze. I’d be smiling and talking, and I would repeat everything that had happened to people visiting me. I was on autopilot mode. But it wasn’t sinking in. The only time I would shudder was when I’d be alone, reliving those moments. It was beyond scary. In those 15 days after the trauma, I didn’t feel safe sitting in a car. I know this is temporary. Also, I didn’t want constant reminders. I just wanted to be left alone after a point. Initially, I didn’t know the extent of the injury, and I was in shock and couldn’t see clearly. There were shards of glass all over and tiny pieces had gone into my eyes.

The first day was scary. After two weeks of being in bed, I was on a busy set. I had to be careful not to hurt myself. But it was wonderful to see everyone being so loving and caring. I was nervous about getting back, but the moment the director said, ‘lights, camera, and action’, the adrenalin took over, and my body went into a different space. Of course, I had to remind myself not to overexert or jeopardise my health, but I was happy.

In times like this, there’s mental and physical recovery involved. I would say I am a strong person, and that is how I have always been. I feel perfectly fit physically, but my state of mind is still fragile. There is fear, worry and anxiety. It takes cajoling to get me out, anywhere. In fact, it took some cajoling to attend Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s wedding bash. More than being in the car, seeing so many people around the car threw me off my game. Now, the minute I sit in a car, I put on the seatbelt, even if I am sitting in the back seat. Until the accident, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that there was a seatbelt behind.

I don’t wear my emotions on my sleeves. Rarely, and only my near and dear ones, see the vulnerable side of me. I have my bouts of feeling low, but I have an inbuilt mechanism for lifting myself from that. I process everything, understand it and go through it completely to come out on the other side. I don’t use my work as my shield against my problems or push them under the carpet. But yes, work keeps me strong and focussed.

Every relationship has its process, its plans and what next and where next. The most essential part is if we know we want a future together. If you are in a relationship where you are still figuring things out and saying, ‘Oh, I don’t know’... that’s not where I stand in my relationship. It’s sacred and important to me. I feel we are at a place where we’re thinking of the where-next and what-next parts. We discuss things a lot. We’re on the same plane, with similar thoughts and ideas. We really get each other. We’re at a mature stage where there’s still room for more discoveries, but we’d love to see a future together and see where we can take it from here. We laugh and joke about it, but we’re damn serious, too. You have to feel positive and secure in your relationship. I am very happy and positive. Arjun gives me that confidence and surety, and it’s both ways. Yes, I don’t think we should be opening all the cards at once. We still love our life and romance together every single day. I always tell him that I want to grow old with you. We will figure out the rest, but I know he’s my man.

Malaika Arora, who is also an entrepreneur, is making a mark for herself while following her interests and passions in areas like fitness, clean eating and wellness. Along with a robust, two-decade career in films and TV, she has also deep-dived into entrepreneurship. As a strategic business investor, Malaika has handpicked tie-ups and investments under her company, Malaika Arora Ventures (MAV). Known for her on-point sense of fashion and fitness level, she has lent her expertise to brands in these areas.

Malaika says, “These last two-three years have been an eye-opener. Things take time, but venturing into these areas was always on my mind. Today, I take pride in my umbrella venture, which has allowed me to be a part of many different brands. It was a gradual movement from one space into another — from fashion to wellness and food. These are all areas I am extremely attached to. While I continue to be associated with brands, I now want to have a seat at the table and from being its face and voice, I now also want to be a part of the ideation and all the action behind the scenes. I want to make a greater difference. There are businesses that can do a lot with the right backing and the right voice and the right platform which MAV can provide.”

Talking about how she sees her ventures panning out in 2022, Malaika says, “MAV’s umbrella is large. There is so much to tap under each section — fashion, wellness and food. These conversations are underway in some specialised and important verticals in these categories. I also want to float my apparel brand, which has my essence. Twenty years ago, I would not have thought that I would be in this space, but today, I am eager to explore and break as much ground as possible. People are judgmental, but one has to work relentlessly and normalize the fact that women can achieve anything at any age. You have to pursue your ideas and ventures some will fly, some won’t and some will go through many ups and downs. I am game for it all; I am all in. ”

Actor Malaika Arora knows that for a public figure, being judged or trolled is inevitable. “I’ve been in the public eye for a significant part of my life, which comes with its fair share of criticism. Be it on the work front or personal one, you’re scrutinised for some decisions. But with time, I’ve realised the importance of being unapologetic about your decisions,” says Arora, who turns 48 today.

Opening up about her birthday plans, she shares, “I am in no mood to celebrate this year, so I’ll have a quiet birthday at home with family and a few friends. There will be home-cooked food by my mom and that, for me, is the best kind of birthday.”

Meanwhile, Arora goes on to share that people always have something to say about her, but that doesn’t affect her anymore. “I don’t pay any attention to negative comments or trolls. It’s certainly challenging, but over the years, I’ve realised that not letting these unnecessary trolls get to you is the best way to be. Hence, I’ve chosen my happiness over anybody’s opinion about me. I have always been open-minded and non-judgmental,” she shares.

Arora admits that there was a time when others’ opinions bothered her, but not anymore. Revealing the mantra she follows, the actor shares, “With time, I have become more vocal about trolling, but fundamentally, I am unaffected. I have built this shield to protect me and my family that keeps me going. I am more certain about keeping my sanity than wasting it on something unsubstantial.”

Recently, there has been a huge shift in her personal life, with her son, Arhaan, 18, leaving India for studies. “The change has been difficult and it’s strange not to have him around. But, I’m proud of him for taking this step to embark on a new journey. I’m rooting for his success,” says Arora.

People assume body-shaming is restricted to those who are overweight. But, I went through it because I was thin. I was a child who had bronchitis, and fell sick as soon as seasons changed. People always told me I needed to eat more. I [connected] with someone who, like me, was thin, but was able to bulk up, and began to train at an akhada. When you see results, and hear people compliment you, you are inspired. It started off with the desire to look good, but it evolved into something bigger. Eventually, I got deeply involved, and began to learn new things. I also recently went to London to do a parkour course. 

A regimen that forms the crux of your routine I think martial arts and yoga are pretty comprehensive. They target different factors associated with wellness, including strength and flexibility training, apart from other essentials. 

Compound movements, and lifting heavier weights. You need to also eat seven to eight meals a day, and up the carbohydrate intake. There have been days when I have had to wake up early only to eat a heavy meal. I also need to train, regardless of my shooting schedule [to prevent muscle depletion]. This may involve waking up at 4.30 am to exercise, or doing so at 1 am, after the shoot wraps up. Between shooting schedules, I also train in the vanity van. However, given a choice, I’d rather be lean and fast [than big and bulky]. There’s no point in looking great if you can’t do functional movements. 

An actor does it under supervision, with the involvement of a dietician, and nutritionist who monitor blood parameters. Don’t aspire to it. 

I have been on a gluten-free vegan diet for 13 years. I was born in a vegetarian family, so becoming vegan was not a tough task. It definitely reduces your meal options though. The more I learn about the right kind of protein and fat that should be consumed, the more agile I feel.

Fall for fad diets, or take pills to lose weight, as promoted by celebrities. I also know that staying fit involves taking to a fitness regimen as well. You cannot follow an unhealthy diet, and train, and wonder why you are not seeing the results you desire. On the other hand, any kind of training is important to keep the body mobile, and burn surplus calories. 

Women have it tough when it comes to maintaining weight. We get bloated during our periods, or at the slightest hormonal change. It is important to practice healthy habits from [a young age]. I used to play volleyball, now I play tennis. Also, when I head for [vacations] with my friends, we indulge in a lot of sports-related activities. 

Working towards building a strong mind is as crucial as building a [physique]. Nourishing your body with wholesome food, staying hydrated, getting restful sleep, and being physically active are incredible tools to maintain fitness levels. Also, being self-assured is essential. That is what is also promoted in the show I judge, MTV Supermodels.

I swear by the goodness of yoga. It’s an integral part of my lifestyle and has umpteen benefits. It helps me stay calm and feel good about myself, inside out. I can do the asanas anywhere, and it’s my go-to mantra whenever I need to clear the clutter in my mind. It makes me disciplined and peaceful. Also, I find joy in trying everything, be it yoga, pilates or weight training. 

After a certain age, your athletic levels become apparent. Ageing takes its toll; metabolism slows down, and bones begin to weaken. To combat it, it is essential to prioritise taking to a healthy life, and treating the body like a temple. It is the best way to remain youthful and fabulous.

The fashion and glamour industries across the world are undergoing sweeping changes to become more inclusive. At such a time, Malaika Arora is glad to step in as judge for the second season of MTV Supermodel Of The Year, eager to effect change from the ground-up. While the central theme #UnapologeticallyYou sets the tone of the show, Arora says that as judge, she has tried to boost conversation around inclusivity and body positivity.

“We have encouraged the girls to be who they are and speak their mind. This time, we have women from worlds that can’t be more far apart — from a trans woman to a cop, to a girl who hails from a patriarchal home and never left the city. We have married women too. We tell the women not to be clones of each other. Aping someone is natural instinct, but what makes you stand out is when you can be your own self,” she says. Arora has passed on the mantra that saw her through her initial modelling days—“Never be an also, be the one”—to the contestants.

In India, models face several biases, including being stigmatised for their skin colour. Battling the ‘gori ladki’ notion is a constant conversation between the contestants and judges Arora, Milind Soman and Anusha Dandekar. “The idea that white is superior is ingrained in people’s psyche, and the battle against that mentality is a long-drawn one. Growing up in this society has made women believe [that fair is beautiful], but we encourage them to recondition themselves. We constantly inspire women to accept their skin tone and flaunt it.”

While modelling is a thriving career in the West, it is often seen as a stepping stone to Bollywood in India. “I went from being a model to a VJ and thereon. Bollywood, at the end of the day, is an interlinked industry. I don’t see anything wrong in them seeing it as a viable career option. It doesn’t necessarily mean the death of [the modelling] industry.”

For years, her commitment to fitness has been evident. Malaika Arora, who had tested positive for Coronavirus in September last year, spent many months getting her health back on track after her recovery. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actress and entrepreneur talks about how she bounced back to her healthy self and resumed work. Excerpts:

My workouts are an everyday thing; I don’t do anything differently. I work out every day, but I got here gradually, especially after recovering from COVID-19 last year. It took some time to get back on track. I could not push myself like I used to. It took a while to start working out properly. Also, I wanted to do it gradually. Everyone is going through so much. Work is erratic and there’s so much uncertainty. By the grace of God, things are slowly getting back on track and I am back to feeling healthy. Honestly, there were days when I could not even bend down and touch my toes. I would get frustrated as I was unable to push myself. I didn’t give up and I had no choice, but to take it slow. Post recovery, I wanted to start working out and going for my runs immediately, but COVID-19 had such an adverse effect on my knees. We don’t realise it, but our entire body bears the brunt of this virus. I had to change my approach. I stopped rushing into it and didn’t do anything stupid. I ate right, monitored my nutrition and in six-eight months, here I am.

I was scared to step out. In fact, I was supposed to shoot for something in Bengaluru, but I cancelled it because I got cold feet. Cases were spiralling at that time and I didn’t feel comfortable going out. I was apprehensive about going for the kids’ reality show, too, but when they took me through their plan, I felt at ease. What also helped me feel confident was that I was vaccinated. A vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get the virus, but it protects you against health damages to a large extent. It puts you in a better place to combat it.

It’s been a tough phase for young adults. Arhaan is 18 and was supposed to pursue higher education, but we were not comfortable sending him away. We decided to take a gap year. I was clear that even if he does that, he should use his time well. I told him that he has to engage in various things, learn something new and not sit around wasting his time. He understood what I was saying. While the initial phase of the lockdown was about enjoying the time at home, he got his act together soon. He has enrolled in online courses, and also invests his time in getting physically fit. Previously, that was not on his agenda, but now I see that he’s driven to eat right and follow a disciplined lifestyle. He routinely works out, which I think kids his age need to do so that they’re healthier when they get to the other side of the pandemic. The most important thing is that my son and I got a lot of time together. We will cherish this phase because we’re getting abundant mamma-beta time before he gets on with his studies and his career. Every situation does have its own positives.

Everyone I know has been working to keep their relationships intact and maintaining a balance in them. I have used this time wisely to nurture my relationships. Yes, it is difficult and none of us have had the freedom to move around too much or be with each other as much as we would have loved to. However, this phase has also been one where we had the opportunity to understand each other better and nurture what we have between us. I value this. My relationships mean the world to me.

Malaika Arora is in Goa for Christmas celebrations. The actress-entrepreneur plans to enjoy the day with a traditional meal, her friends and family in attendance and a whole lot of cheer. However, post-Christmas, she plans to go the extra mile to sweat it out. Talking about making fitness a part of her life, she says, “It’s about being careful about your health at all times. I don’t treat food as an enemy. I enjoy all the festivals and all the meals that one has during each of them. Whether it’s the Onam Sadhya or the Christmas meal, I relish every bit of it. And the next morning, I make it a point to work out a little longer and make that extra effort to keep things in check. I am very particular about making time to exercise every day.”

To share her DIY tricks and tips for healthy skin, body, hair and overall wellness, she recently started the hashtag, #MalaikasTrickOrTip. She shared some easy home remedies and tricks on topics ranging from skincare and hair loss, to gut health and yoga asanas. Her fans lapped up the advice that she shared. Elaborating on how she stayed fit throughout the year, especially with the pandemic putting brakes on everyone’s workout routines, Malaika shares, “In the initial phase of the pandemic, it bothered me as to how I will bring my fitness routine back on track. I was introduced to online yoga classes, which worked wonders for me, and somehow, it has made things simpler. Fitness is a way of life and a state of mind; that’s how it has been for me.”

The first thing that went through my mind when I tested positive for Coronavirus was that everybody in my house is safe and protected as there’s always that fear that you may have been in contact with them. To ensure I don’t infect anybody after getting tested, I isolated myself in my room. My situation wasn’t as severe so I didn’t need to be admitted to a facility and could treat myself at home. My initial symptoms were typical: low grade fever, bodyache and slight cough. I just knew that I had it as I had been shooting and a couple of people in my proximity had tested positive so, unfortunately, I was next in line.

The first few days were really bizarre and I was just in a shock. I wasn’t able to fathom what had happened. No one prepares for this and it hits you like a thunderbolt. Initially, you feel so unwell and weak and under strong medicines, so time slips by quickly. There are days when I’ve slept for 18 hours at a stretch, only waking up to have my meals. All that the doctors were telling me was to rest, eat well and hydrate myself. The food used to be left outside my room and it was all disposable so it wasn’t a worry. I’ve been a vegetarian and a vegan for long but the doctor suggested that since I needed to build strength, I had to alter my diet. So I started having some dairy and chicken soup and broth (something I had practically every day) which was healing for the system.

I also did whatever I was advised to do — from gargling to steaming to gulping down kaadhas and each person had their own recipe which they felt would be effective in keeping you healthy. Through the quarantine, I didn’t start any physical activity as I was told to not stress myself and was completely out of commission.

When you actually quarantine yourself, you realise the specific challenges. It was all too consuming and there was much to do from the time you wake up. You have to clean your room and sanitize everything as you cannot live in filth.

And it didn’t help that there were times when I felt so weak and drained, I couldn’t even move, forget getting out of bed. Can you imagine someone like me who has led a healthy and active life, being in that state? In these 14 days, I realised that this virus can bring you to your knees and you can do little about it. This is why I believe that caregivers at home and in hospitals are angels and I wouldn’t have made it through without them. It also helped that many from my building often prepared and sent food so that the burden was eased.

What really pulled me through this also has to be the love and support I received from so many people I had lost touch with. And thank god for online streamers! I also caught up on reading, something I had completely stopped doing. And I think video calls have really been a lifechanging game for me.

Everybody thinks they’re a doctor right now and there’s so much information out there on the internet, it can cloud your brain. I just followed my doctor’s advice instead of reading up online. Too much information can be a hindrance and one should just follow basic protocol.

I was feeling terrible initially but slowly, your body recuperates if you’re resting, eating right and taking medication. The virus doesn’t survive in your body beyond 14 days after you build antibodies which will protect you for three months, and there can be relapse after that period. People are still grappling with this and trying to figure out what’s going on, and there’s also a lot of trial and error with medication. Also, some medicines prescribed to me may not work for others.

The rise in cases is scary and insane and I genuinely feel everybody will test positive at some point or another when you get on with your lives. The day we decide to go back to work and decide to put yourself out there, we have to be prepared that we may be in close proximity to the virus and that can be a hazard. But how intensely it may affect one will differ from another. There are those who have gone through their 14 days of quarantine in a breeze without any symptoms. But I also know of many, including some elderly, who’ve had breathing issues and have had to be hospitalised. You cannot take it for granted but considering my lifestyle and that I’m young and do yoga regularly, has definitely helped. For instance, I didn’t have breathing issues or any other concerns. So you need to adopt yoga or some kind of workout in your life because at the end of the day, it is your lungs which are getting affected. I remember telling my mother at one point that I pray that everybody who tests positive is asymptomatic because with the symptoms, it can be a nightmare.