In a recent episode of the celebrity dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,’ model and actress Malaika Arora took a nostalgic journey back to her childhood, revealing the challenges she faced growing up in a rented house. Born in Thane, Maharashtra, Malaika, along with her sister and actress Amrita Arora, moved to Chembur with their mother following their parents’ separation.
During the episode, wrestler Sangeeta Phogat and her choreographer Bharat Ghare delivered a poignant performance to the song ‘Jo Bheji Thi Duaa’ from the 2012 political thriller ‘Shanghai.’ The performance shed light on the struggles of construction workers who build homes for others but often find themselves without a home.
Malaika, visibly moved by the performance, shared her own childhood experiences, recalling, “I remember we used to live in a rented house. We didn’t have our own house…we lived in a matchbox during our childhood. I remember how small the house was.” Expressing the difficulty of those times, she added, “If we walked around, it seemed like someone might get hurt. It was very, very difficult.”
The emotional revelation continued as Malaika discussed her determination to provide a better life for her family. “So obviously, the first thing I wanted to do when I could afford it, after saving up a bit of money, was to buy a house. And, I wanted to tell my mum about it.”
As Sangeeta’s performance resonated deeply with Malaika, she praised the wrestler’s natural acting skills, stating, “The concept was absolutely amazing. I’m sure many people would have various interpretations of this concept, but the way you presented it was such a beautiful interpretation. Sangeeta, you are a natural actress. There’s an actress within you.”
Impressed by Sangeeta’s ability to convey emotions through dance, Malaika continued, “You dance, you emote, you act – it’s amazing. I believe, if a film is ever made, you should be the one to act. You are a brilliant actress.”
