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“Chaiyaa Chaiyaa”star Malaika Arora has opened up about the unequal way ageing is viewed for men and women in the entertainment industry, calling attention to the constant scrutiny faced by female actors.

Drawing from her three-decade-long career, she reflected on how beauty standards have shifted over time, while also pointing out that societal expectations around age continue to be harsher for women. Her remarks highlight the ongoing bias in the industry, where ageing is often judged differently based on gender, placing added pressure on women to maintain a certain image.

During her appearance on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra (Season 3), produced by Gautam Thakker Films, Malaika Arora spoke candidly about how conversations around ageing are often unfairly directed at women. She noted that such questions can make women feel pressured to constantly justify their looks and relevance.

Sharing her personal thoughts, Malaika said, “There are days when these thoughts cross my mind, days when I question the obvious, and then there are days when I simply don’t care because I know I’m doing what I love. I’m enjoying this phase of my life, I feel like I’m in my prime, and I’m still hungry to do so much more. That’s what truly matters to me.”

© Instagram/Malaika Arora

Malaika Arora went on to highlight the stark difference in how ageing is perceived for men and women, pointing out that women are far more frequently subjected to questions about their looks and desirability. She remarked, “What I find interesting is that women are constantly asked these questions about age, beauty, and desirability, while men are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny. A woman is always expected to justify how she looks, ‘Do you still feel beautiful? Do you still feel desirable? How does it feel to be this age?’ These questions are almost never directed at men.”

She added, “For me, it’s never been just about physical appearance. Of course, that’s what the world sees first, but there’s so much more. It’s about how you feel mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s about what drives you, what motivates you to get out of bed every morning and seize the day. I don’t wake up thinking, ‘I look good today.’ That’s not how most women function. We wake up wanting to create, contribute, build something meaningful, and leave behind a legacy that our children and families can be proud of”.

© Instagram/Malaika Arora

Addressing the broader narrative, she stressed the need to move away from age-centric commentary altogether. “And honestly, the constant commentary around women and age needs to change. ‘She looks amazing for her age,’ ‘She’s so fit at this age’, why is age always the headline? I was myself then, I am myself now, and I’ll continue to be myself twenty years from now because I feel good, I feel strong, and I feel fulfilled. I think women everywhere need to wear that confidence like a badge of honour, unapologetically. We should celebrate ourselves, our journeys, and everything we continue to become”.

On the work front, Malaika continues to stay active in the industry, recently appearing in tracks like “Poison Baby” from Thamma and “Chillgum” alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh. She is also fondly remembered for iconic dance numbers such as “Munni Badnaam Hui” and “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” which continue to remain timeless in popular culture.