Malaika Arora has spoken out about the disparity in how ageing is perceived for men and women in the entertainment industry, highlighting the persistent bias that places undue scrutiny on women. With a career spanning over three decades, the actor-dancer shared her perspective on evolving beauty standards and the societal expectations attached to age.
During her appearance on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra (Season 3), produced by Gautam Thakker Films, Malaika reflected on how questions around ageing are disproportionately directed at women, often putting them in a position where they feel the need to justify their appearance and desirability.
“There are days when these thoughts cross my mind, days when I question the obvious, and then there are days when I simply don’t care because I know I’m doing what I love. I’m enjoying this phase of my life, I feel like I’m in my prime, and I’m still hungry to do so much more. That’s what truly matters to me”, said Malaika.
She further elaborated on the issue, pointing out the contrast in how men and women are treated when it comes to ageing. “What I find interesting is that women are constantly asked these questions about age, beauty, and desirability, while men are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny. A woman is always expected to justify how she looks, ‘Do you still feel beautiful? Do you still feel desirable? How does it feel to be this age?’ These questions are almost never directed at men. For me, it’s never been just about physical appearance. Of course, that’s what the world sees first, but there’s so much more. It’s about how you feel mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s about what drives you, what motivates you to get out of bed every morning and seize the day. I don’t wake up thinking, ‘I look good today.’ That’s not how most women function. We wake up wanting to create, contribute, build something meaningful, and leave behind a legacy that our children and families can be proud of”.
Addressing the larger conversation around women and ageing, Malaika emphasized the need to shift the narrative away from age-centric commentary. “And honestly, the constant commentary around women and age needs to change. ‘She looks amazing for her age,’ ‘She’s so fit at this age’, why is age always the headline? I was myself then, I am myself now, and I’ll continue to be myself twenty years from now because I feel good, I feel strong, and I feel fulfilled. I think women everywhere need to wear that confidence like a badge of honour, unapologetically. We should celebrate ourselves, our journeys, and everything we continue to become”.
On the professional front, Malaika Arora continues to remain active in the entertainment space, featuring in recent tracks such as ‘Poison Baby’ from Thamma (2025) and ‘Chillgum’ alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh. She is also widely remembered for her iconic dance numbers including ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ and ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’, which continue to hold a strong place in popular culture.
BOLLYWOOD NEWS - LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.