EXCLUSIVE| Malaika Arora on 26 years of ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’, celebrities turning entrepreneurs and more

It was in 1998 that Dil Se hit the big screen. Years on, the movie remains a classic and so does its song, ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’. Featuring Malaika Arora and Shah Rukh Khan dancing atop a moving train, the song has only cemented its position as a party staple over the years. Arora, who catapulted herself as a performer to look out for with the song, revealed how Khan convinced the makers to free her from harness for a brief duration during the filming of the song.

In an exclusive emailer interview with WION, Arora recalled, “Chaiyya Chaiyya turning 26 is a reminder of how timeless the song is. The shoot itself was a whirlwind of experiences. While the iconic imagery features Shah Rukh Khan on the train, there were interesting challenges behind the scenes. For me, there was this whole harness situation. Safety first, of course, but let's just say it's not exactly ideal for busting a move. Thankfully, Shah Rukh convinced them to let me loose for a bit. And let me tell you, there's nothing quite like dancing on a moving train with the wind in your hair!”

“Those moments of freedom, that raw energy – that's what I remember most. It was pure joy, pure creation, and definitely something I won't forget,” she added.

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In the past few years, several celebrities, including Arora, have turned entrepreneurs and the fashion icon sees this as an empowering shift. “Social media connects us directly with our audience, fostering a unique community. It is a platform allows us to share not just our work, but our passions and inspirations. Launching a brand feels like a natural extension of that connection and stay connected,” explained the television personality.

Arora further stated that in today’s dynamic world, diversification is key. “Building a brand allows for creative expression and the opportunity to shape something from the ground up. It's about taking ownership and being a leader in a space we're truly enthusiastic about. Ultimately, it's about empowering others – sharing our vision and hopefully inspiring them to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams,” she added.

As someone who started her showbiz journey with modelling, it felt like a full circle moment for Arora when her brand The Label Life made its runway debut at Godrej L’Affaire 2024. Opening up about the same, Arora reminisced, “It's incredibly fulfilling and it's a testament to the growth and evolution of the brand which is centered around elevating wardrobe essentials for everyday smart dressing.”

At a time when everything has a direct audience on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat, Arora is of the view that fashion is much like today's social media. “Fast, furious, and constantly evolving,” she said, adding, “Back in the day, trends were dictated by a select few. But now, Boom! One Instagram post and bam, it's everywhere.”

While it does allow for greater accessibility and democratisation of fashion, Arora opined that it also creates a need to constantly be "on" which she believes is a balance that any brand needs to strike. She believes that one needs to create pieces with lasting power, and not just a viral moment.

But her brand isn’t the only leap of faith on Arora’s part. In 2022, the fitness world’s go-to celebrity starred in a web series titled ‘Moving In With Malaika’. While Arora hasn’t yet confirmed its second season, she certainly had a blast filming the first. “I wanted to show a more real, unfiltered side of myself, beyond the movies and glamour. It was incredibly rewarding to connect with fans on a deeper level. They got to see the real Malaika - the goofball hanging with friends, the businesswoman hustling behind the scene,” she shared.

As for Arora's biggest learning from the show, it was the power of connection with fans. “Sharing my life opened the door to incredible conversations with fans – about everything from yoga to dealing with trolls. It was a beautiful reminder that we all go through similar things, even if our lives seem worlds apart,” she concluded.