Malaika Arora opens up about divorce from Arbaaz Khan: 'I had to feel okay'

Malaika Arora recently discussed her divorce from actor Arbaaz Khan, with whom she parted ways 19 years after getting married.

During an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, the 50-year-old actress talked openly about marrying at 25 with Arbaaz, without any family pressure.

Malaika revealed, “Not that I have grown up in a background where I was told ‘Oh you have to get married at this age'. I was told to live my life, go out enjoy, meet more people, and have more relationships, I was told all of that."

"Yet, I don't know what got into my head, I said by 22-23 I want to get married. No one forced me but it was what I needed to do right now because it was the best option I had at that moment.”

When discussing her decision to separate from Arbaaz Khan, the dancer mentioned, “When I decided to get divorced, I don't think there were too many women in the industry getting divorced and moving on."

"I felt, for me, for my personal growth, my choice, I had to feel okay within if I had to make my kid happy and make my kid flourish in his space. So, that's what I did.”

She further told that although many people see divorce negatively, for her, it was about feeling “settled and happy to make anyone around me happy. It starts with me.”

Malaika tied the knot with Arbaaz in 1997, but they split in 2017.They have a son named Arhaan Khan. 

Currently, Malaika has been in a relationship with Arjun Kapoor for more than 5 years.

Meanwhile, Arbaaz recently got married with Sshura Khan on December 24, 2023.