Knew Malaika Arora had Malayali roots? Here are 15 other facts to know about the 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' actress!

Actress and dancer Malaika Arora has impressed all of us with her dancing skills in several special songs, with her svelte figure proof of her fitness enthusiasm. In recent times, her candour on her divorce and being a single mom has earned her many more fans. Take a look at 16 lesser-known facts you didn't know about the 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' girl.

Updated on:

23 Aug 2019, 4:11 pm

2 min read

Malaika, born on 23 October 1973, is named after the Swahili word 'Malaika' meaning 'angel'. (Photo | File, PTI)

Did you know Malaika Arora is part Malayali? Her mother Joyce Polycarp is a Malayali Catholic and her father, Anil Arora is a Punjabi hailing from the town of Fazilka. They divorced when she was 11. (Photos | Malaika Arora Instagram)

Malaika Arora started her career in showbiz as a VJ with MTV (see pic) in the 1990s. She began working as an interviewer first, hosting shows such as Club MTV. Later, along with Cyrus Broacha, she anchored Love Line and Style Check. (Photo | File, EPS)

Malaika started modelling, appearing in many advertisements, and album songs like Bally Sagoo's 'Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha' opposite Jas Arora. (IN PIC: On left, Malaika in Bally Sagoo's song; with cricketer Ishant Sharma at an event.)

The iconic 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' song from 1998 Bollywood hit 'Dil Se' directed by Mani Ratnam was Malaika Arora's first item song for a film. She revealed in 2019 that since she was swaying while dancing atop a moving train, she had to be tied with a rope which left her bleeding when it was removed. (YouTube grab)

Malaika and Arbaaz Khan (brother of actor Salman Khan) met in 1993 on the sets of a commercial for Mr Coffee, a coffee brand (see left). After dating for five years, the duo married on December 12, 1998. They had both a church wedding and a nikah. (Photos |Twitter)

Malaika Arora gave up acting in full-fledged roles after her acting role in the 2008 Suniel Shetty production 'EMI', which was declared a box-office failure. (Photo | File, EPS)

In 2002, Malaika gave birth to son Arhaan. The mother and son duo are often spotted hanging out together. (Photos | PTI; On left, Malaika seen with son Arhaan and nephew Nirvaan, Sohail Khan's son)

Malaika turned producer with husband Arbaaz for brother-in-law Salman's film 'Dabangg' and later 'Dabangg 2'. They both were box-office hits. She also co-produced Sonam Kapoor starrer 'Dolly Ki Doli' under the Arbaaz Khan Productions banner. (IN PIC: Malaika in one of her hit songs 'Munni Badnaam Hui' from the film Dabangg.)

'Dabangg' won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. (Photos | File, PTI)

Malaika is very close to her sister and actress Amrita Arora (on right). They are often photographed with best friends Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan. (Photos | Malaika Arora Instagram)

Malaika and Arbaaz's divorce in 2017 was a shock to many. Son Arhaan stays with Malaika while the couple remain cordial. (Photos | File, PTI)

While Arbaaz is going strong with model Giorgia Andriani, there is much speculation about Malaika's wedding with actor Arjun Kapoor. Malaika handles questions about Arjun and their 11-year age gap with ease. (Photos | Instagram; on right - Malaika and Arjun with Neetu and Rishi Kapoor in New York)

On the 'What Women Want with Kareena Kapoor Khan' show in 2019, Malaika opened up on marriage, the stigma of divorce and parenthood with refreshing honesty. “We were just two people in a situation where we were making each other extremely unhappy” she said, further adding “which was impacting everyone else's life around us.” (Photo | Instagram)

Malaika is now popular as a reality TV show judge with hit shows like India’s Got Talent, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Nach Baliye among others. (Photo | PTI/ Instagram; Malaika with Karan Johar and Kirron Kher)

Known for her impeccable fashion sense, Malaika started The Closet Label, an online fashion line where she handpicks clothes according to her aesthetic along with Sussanne Khan and Bipasha Basu. They started a flagship store in Mumbai in 2018 after tasting success online. (Photos | File)