There's something about Malaika Arora

The stunning Malaika Arora sat down for an exclusive with the The Asian Age on the 20th anniversary of the iconic ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ and talks to us about everything from Rajinikanth and motherhood to the magic of movies.

“I cannot believe it’s been 20 years since ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’!” exclaims the beautiful Malaika Arora. In Chennai this week for an exclusive fashion event hosted by a luxury brand in Chennai, Arora looked as lovely as she did dancing atop a train two decades ago. In the years following her success with ‘Dil Se’, the Mumbai-born Malayali who started her career as a model went on to find fame and fortune both on and off the big screen. Whilst her performances in item numbers such as ‘Maahi Ve’ (2002) and ‘Muni Bandnam Hui’ (2010) catapulted her to global stardom, the multi-faceted entertainer also worked as producer on Bollywood blockbuster Dabangg and Dabangg 2.

Arora, born and raised in Mumbai, confesses she has always had a deep affection for the south as her mother is a Malayali. In the last few years she has also become Instafamous with over 6 million followers and successfully launched her clothing line ‘The Label Life’. She sits down for an exclusive with Asian Age and tells us why she admires Rajinikanth and Prabhudeva the most.

TEAM RAJINI or TEAM KAMAL?
“I admire them both greatly. Both of them have contributed so much to Indian cinema. You can’t possibly make me choose. Even yesterday we were talking about Rajini Sir and his performance in ‘Chaalbaaz’ as I believe they are going to remake the film. But since you are demanding an answer I would have to say Team Rajini! I am definitely a huge Rajini fan and of course I have watched Kaala, loved it! By the way black is my favourite colour too. “

ON WORKING WITH MANIRATNAM SIR
“You know I grew up watching Mamooty and Mohanlal films, Tamil films! I love Malayalam films. I have always had this deep connection with the south as I am a Malayali. I have even worked on a few Telugu films. Like I said I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since ‘Dil Se’. The whole experience, of working with Mani Sir, Shah Rukh, Farah (Khan) who choreographed the song, remains so dear to me. And even if I say so myself, it was a song far ahead of its time. There still hasn’t been a song like that, has there?”

ON TOLLYWOOD AND PRABHUDEVA
“I have so enjoyed my experiences working in the south. Even now I would be glad to come back and work with Prabhudeva. I cannot think of anyone with a talent like his. So here’s hoping...”

UPCOMING PROJECTS IN BOLLYWOOD
“I just finished shooting a song for Vishal Bhardwaj’s new movie Pataakha’last week. The song is called ‘Hello Hello’. I haven’t done anything like this in a while and it was a wonderful experience with a lot of great people working on the film including Rekha, Vishal’s wife.

ON BEING A MEGA-MOM AND ON MOTHERHOOD
“Thank you for the compliment! Honestly, I have a lot of help. A great team — a manager, hair, make-up, stylists...they really work tirelessly. But for me personally it’s also about the combination of a healthy mind and body that keeps me going. When he was younger, he is 16 now, well it was different. I think it’s very easy to let work take over your life...it’s not wrong of course. Work is a very integral part of my life but I think it’s about prioritising. I also had a great support system at home so there’s that. So I make sure I can give my best to whatever I put my mind to at that time.”

ON THE LABEL LIFE
“Well we’ve been online the last few years. But this year we have opened our first store in Mumbai, that’s our flagship store and I am so happy about that. By the end of the year we’re looking to open about 11 stores across the country. We are definitely looking for a space in Chennai. We have got a lot of love from working women. It took us a while to find our target audience. I hope to come here soon!”

WALKING AT LAKME FASHION WEEK
“I get nervous as hell every time I walk the ramp! Even last week closing for Anushree Reddy. Even after all these years when I think I have walked almost every year since they started. I get butterflies. But I so enjoy it as it’s a great experience walking out there and feeding off the energy from the crowd, it’s instantaneous and nothing quite like it. This year was great as I was wearing ethnic and I know most people expect to see me in western wear...”

ON BEING AN INSTADDICT AND STAYING FIT
“If you ask me what I am obsessed with right now, it’s Instagram! Like I said earlier for me looking good is a combination of a healthy mind and body...with lots of help. But I swear to you all I am always up for trying something new and adventurous whether it’s scuba diving or headstands! And I do headstands everyday!”