Mumbai: Malaika Arora wants to be remembered as a “queen of all trades.” From beginning her career as a model in the 1990s to exploring VJing, acting in films, music videos, judging reality shows, entrepreneurship, and even writing a book—she has worn many hats over the years. And, she wouldn’t want it any other way.
In an exclusive interview with ThePrint, Arora talked about her journey, the influence her mother had on her, and why she consciously avoids being a “helicopter mom” to her son, especially now that they are also business partners at Scarlett House, their restaurant in Mumbai.
“Trust me, even today, I don’t know how it all happened. I never planned any of it. But I never restricted myself either. I was never rigid. I took literally every work opportunity that came my way. Never said no to work ever,” she said.
Her life changed early on. When Arora was just 11, her parents divorced, and she moved to Chembur with her younger sister, Amrita, and their mother, who raised them as a single mother. It made her responsible at a young age.
Arora said that her entry into modelling was purely out of necessity.
“To be honest, I took up modelling because it was quick bucks at that time,” she said. “It was an entry point. From there, one thing just led to another.”
Watching her mother provide them good education, good food, and overall a good lifestyle not only inspired Arora but also instilled a strong urge to earn money. She just wanted to support her mother financially and contribute in any way she could, especially since her sister was younger.
“At that age, it’s natural to want to chill, sleep longer, go out, watch movies, that’s the typical mindset of kids. You don’t want to be responsible,” she said. “But I knew I had to be.”
Arora began earning at just 17, with a clear focus on saving and investing. And, it was during her stint as a VJ that she realised that it was essential to seize every work opportunity that came her way.
“My sister was also young. So, I felt it was time to put some pressure on my delicate shoulders. I felt it was my duty. I had to be my mum’s support,” she said.
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Shedding ‘mom’ tag at work
Throughout her journey, Arora’s mother remained her strongest pillar of support, never stopping her from pursuing any career opportunity. The actor applied the same parenting philosophy to raise her son, Arhaan.
At her hospitality venture, Scarlett House, Arora is working with her son professionally for the first time. However, she is clear about drawing boundaries.
“I shed the ‘mom’ tag before entering the workspace. I can’t be hovering or be a helicopter mom,” she said, with a laugh.
Over-involvement could take away from what her son brings to the table.
“I let him be. He expresses his thoughts. We even have differences of opinion sometimes, and we discuss them like adults,” she said.
But as a parent too, Arora said she consciously avoids being controlling.
“I worry, as any parent would. I don’t control,” she said.
According to her, her son needs to make mistakes, fall, and learn from his own experiences.
“I tell him, I’m here. I’ll be your support system. I’ll pick you up if you fall. But you have to live your life and make your own decisions,” she added.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)