FIERCE & FREE

Malaika Arora on owning the "it girl" aesthetic before Pinterest made it popular, being one of the most-papped women in India, and staying relevant at every age.

- SONAL VED

If there is one thing I’ve learned about Malaika Arora— and I can say this with absolute certainty—it’s that she uses the phrase, “I’m not going to be apologetic about it”, far too often, and truly means it. In fact, had someone read my interview transcript, they would confirm she says that at the end of every other response. That’s how unabashed she is about her approach to life and self-acceptance. And she encourages all women to do the same—take up space and be their authentic selves.

A GIRL’S GIRL, ALL THE WAY

“Over the years, our perception of women in terms of looks, stardom, and their success has changed,” says Arora. Whether it is Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, or Sydney Sweeney, Arora feels that our gaze has shifted. “The ‘Top 10 Most Influential People’ lists are certainly changing. Women like Taylor (Swift) are making money, packing stadiums, and affecting economies, all at such a young age. When I was their age, I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do. It’s amazing to see women up there, owning it and not being apologetic about it.”

Arora is an out-and-out girl’s girl. Every few weeks, a photo-op of her gang, which includes her sister Amrita Arora, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Karisma Kapoor, stirs conversation around ‘can women truly be friends with other women’. The answer is a big yes, and she reaffirms that. She values her support system, her girls, and her safe space more than anything else.