Keeping their love lives under wraps has never been easy for celebrities. There’s speculation, rumors and what not. For Malaika Arora too, this hasn’t been simple. After her divorce with Arbaaz Khan, she found love again in Arjun Kapoor and has been a target for trolls, right from the relationship to the way she dresses.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Malaika finally opened up about all these aspects of her life and how she’s enjoying her 40s to the fullest.
“Love Doesn’t Come with an Age Limit”
About her relationship with Arjun, Malaika said, "My approach to love has also changed. From being divorced to getting into a relationship, it wasn’t easy. You want to protect yourself from getting hurt. But I am so glad that I got myself out there. That has a lot to do with this new me. Relationships need love, affection, and nurture. They are hard work. Being in this relationship truly feels amazing.”
On the much talked about the nine year age difference between her and Arjun, she said, “A relationship is about two minds and hearts connecting. Unfortunately, we live in a society that refuses to progress with time. An older man romancing a younger girl is hailed everywhere, but when the woman is older, she’s called desperate and a buddhi”
Relationships need love, affection, and nurture. They are hard work. But I am so glad that love happened to me. Being in this relationship truly feels amazing.
“My Stretch Marks Remind Me of My Beautiful Baby Boy”
The actor is all for embracing one’s age and body gracefully. “You can’t stop your body from ageing. This whole idea of wrinkles and stretch marks as signs of ugliness is so passé. The other day I posted a picture in which a few of my stretch marks showed and people started commenting on how gross they are. What is gross about stretch marks? Whenever I see those on my body, I smile… they remind me of my beautiful baby boy. Childbirth changes the body. Why should I have to hide my stretch marks or feel ashamed or apologetic? They are my medals of motherhood!” she added
She maintains that the society keeps finding ways to shame women, be it about stretch marks or their age. She added, "I think the real problem is not age. Society finds ways to shame women throughout their lives. If you are a strong and independent woman, you become a soft target. People are still intimidated by an opinionated, thinking working woman and the best weapon they have is slander."
“You wear what you feel comfortable in and it is your personal choice! You have a problem if I wear something that doesn’t suit your taste, you have a problem that I am divorced, you have a problem that I have found love again in a younger man. I don’t really care about your problems. I am not here to please anybody, let alone nameless and faceless people on social media.”Malaika Arora
Malaika said that what people say about her doesn't matter to her now. She said, "With age, I have become immune to what people are thinking or saying about me. Today, I really don’t give a damn about people’s perceptions. Are you paying my bills? Why should I owe you an explanation? Kuchh toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna."
(With inputs from Hindustan Times)
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