Malaika Arora says ‘men divorce, marry women half their age’: ‘Everyone says what a man, but a woman is judged’

Both moved on with their lives—Arbaaz began dating Giorgia Andriani, while Malaika attracted far more media attention for her relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor, who is over 12 years younger than her. Malaika found herself under constant scrutiny for even the smallest actions. Meanwhile, Arbaaz eventually separated from Giorgia and married 35-year-old makeup artist Sshura, with whom he recently welcomed a baby at 58.

At a recent event, Malaika addressed the persistent scrutiny of her personal life, calling out the societal double standards she has faced.

Speaking to Barkha Dutt at Mojo Story’s event We The Women, she said, “You are constantly judged for being strong. We are going to have these judgements irrespective. I have utmost regard and love for men because some of the men in my life have been instrumental and really amazing.”

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However, she highlighted the stark difference in how society treats men and women in similar situations. “Today, if a man decides to move on—get a divorce, marry someone half his age—it’s like, ‘Wow, what a man!’ But when a woman does it, she is questioned: ‘Why would she do something like that? Doesn’t she have sense?’ There are constant stereotypes.”

Malaika also reflected on her early 20s, when she had just started out as a VJ.

“I never thought I would come this far. I imagined I would do a few songs, get married, have kids, and settle down. I didn’t realise then that I was far more ambitious than I gave myself credit for. Over the years, I recognised that I wasn’t happy with just that. I am highly ambitious—always hungry to do something different and better.”

She recalled how her decision to marry at 25 shocked her mother, who reacted strongly.

“My mom would always say, ‘Go out there, enjoy your life, and please don’t marry the first guy you date’—which I did. I married the first guy I ever dated. She couldn’t understand why I would do that. She said, ‘If you do that, how will you ever know what’s out there?’ And I was like, ‘Mom, chill now.’ But she has always been someone who encouraged us to live and dream. She never stopped us from doing anything.”