Strong. Stylish. Versatile. Yoga freak. Loves adventure and is a doting single mother to her son… These are a few adjectives that come to mind when one meets actress and designer Malaika Arora.
Coming down to Chennai on Monday evening to unveil the ready-to-wear collections of a fashion store, she was a bundle of energy at the event.
The ‘Chaiya Chaiya’ dancer shared with ‘News Today’ the secret of her fitness, gave fashion tips, and also spoke about her online designer brand, The Closet Label.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is fashion to you?
A: It is comfort. From the time I wore the ghagra in ‘Chaiya Chaiya‘ song, atop the train, to the tailored black suit which I wear now – it is fashion. It should be light, breezy and make me feel relaxed. Among colours, I prefer black.
Q: Tell us about your recent experience when you walked the ramp in Lakme Fashion Week.
A: It was a wonderful experience, but nevertheless, I had butterflies in my stomach. Every single time I walk the ramp, I get nervous. But the experience of walking the ramp is something I truly cherish.
Q: How do you define yoga and meditation?
A: They are interlinked. Yoga is a form of meditation and meditation helps focus our mind on to something to achieve a calm state.
Q: It’s been two decades since the song ‘Chaiya Chaiya‘ got released? How do you feel about it now?
A: It’s been an amazing journey, having worked under noted director Mani Ratnam. I would love to collaborate again but I do not wish to run up things now. I am not cut away from movies, though, and recently I completed the shoot for a movie.
Q: What do you like about the south Indian industry?
A: I am a south Indian, Malayali. I have grown up watching Mammootty and Mohanlal films. I have also done a few projects in Telugu and Tamil. South film industry will always be my love and when I get the right offer, I will come again. I admire Prabhudeva and Dhanush.
Q: On who’s side are you – Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan?
A: A controversial question – but I think both are versatile actors. My PR is a huge fan of Rajinikanth and insists that I watch all his films. I loved his recent film ‘Kaala‘. As far as I can say, Rajinikanth Sir is an institution.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS
THRILLING EXPERIENCE
I am an adventurous person. I love to do bungee jumping and also snorkelling or swim along with sharks.
SELFIE WITH
I would love to take a selfie with Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
PANI PURI
Living in Mumbai, I indulge in street food a lot. Tasting the lip-smacking, tangy pani puri is my all-time favourite. Apart from the monsoon season, I do not miss eating pani puri at local eateries.
THE CLOSET LABEL LIFE
For a few years, we have been in the online business and have now recently opened our first store at Mumbai. We are planning to expand it more and soon will open one in Chennai.
FASHION ESSENTIALS
Mascara, blusher, kajal.