After years of speculation around her personal life,
Malaika Arora has broken her silence on
Arjun Kapoor and the persistent ‘new linkup’ chatter that follows her every public appearance. Calling the scrutiny “borderline voyeurism”, Malaika reflected on healing, emotional growth, and why she chooses to stay guarded about her past and future relationships.
‘Time heals all’: Malaika on Arjun Kapoor
Speaking on The Namrata Zakaria Show, Malaika reflected on her equation with Arjun Kapoor and the emotional phases that follow any breakup. “I think anger and hurt exist at a particular phase or time in your life, and I think everybody does. We are humans, we all go through phases of anger and being upset, disappointed. That’s just human nature,” she said.
Adding that time brings perspective, Malaika noted, “But as you go along, as time goes on, and the most cliched line is – time heals all.”
‘He is an integral part of my life’
Despite choosing not to dwell on the past or speculate about the future, Malaika made it clear that Arjun continues to matter deeply to her. “Irrespective of whatever may be, I think he is somebody who is so very important to me and someone who is such an integral part of my life. Whatever may be,” she shared.
Explaining why she avoids detailed conversations about her relationships, she added, “I don’t really want to talk too much about my past or what my future may be… enough and more has been written about it. Enough and more has been splashed all over — it’s kind of become a media feeding ground sort of space.”
‘Borderline voyeurism’: On access to celebrity lives
The 52-year-old also spoke about how celebrity lives are consumed today. “It comes with the territory. It is borderline voyeurism,” Malaika said, pointing out how little control public figures now have over their personal narratives.
“If you are in the business, you have to be prepared for all of this. We are allowed to say how much we want to put out there — how much of our personal life is ours and how much should be public knowledge. But in today’s day and age, whether you sneeze or go anywhere, it becomes news. Everybody has access,” she added.
On ‘new linkup’ rumours: ‘It doesn’t serve any purpose’
Addressing frequent speculation about her being spotted with different men post her breakup with Arjun Kapoor, Malaika dismissed the chatter outright. “People like talking. If you are spotted with somebody, it becomes a huge discussion. I don’t really want to give chatter unnecessarily, too much fuel,” she said.
Highlighting how absurd the rumours can get, Malaika explained, “Trust me, every time I have stepped out — even if it’s a longtime friend, a gay friend, a married friend, an old friend, a manager or anybody — I am immediately linked to that person.”
She added with a laugh, “We laugh about it. My mother calls me and asks, ‘Who is this now, baby? Who are they talking about?’ It has just become laughable.”
‘My life is more than my personal relationships’
Malaika also reiterated that she wants her work and personal growth to define her, not just her relationships. “At one point, I remember saying that my life is much more than just my personal life. It was becoming too much of a centre of attention,” she said.
Concluding on a firm note, she added, “I am at that stage of life now where I don’t need to prove anything. I just need to do things that make me happy — and I want people to see that.”