This Christmas is particularly emotional for Malaika Arora, as she deals with the pain of losing her father, Anil Mehta. Though the heartbreak was immense, she has chosen to remember him by celebrating the holiday with a sense of togetherness, especially by having a small, intimate gathering where her mother would cook Anil’s favorite dishes. This is how the family can keep his spirit alive in the midst of their grief.
In an interview with ETimes, Malaika spoke about how this holiday season is going to be different. She said the loss was devastating, but the family has decided to celebrate Christmas in his memory. She wasn’t sure whether they would be celebrating Christmas or not, but deciding to come together as a family and enjoy the traditions they shared with her father was comforting.
“Mom just simply will cook him his favourite dishes for a close set of people,” she shares about highlighting that families and love do matter amid such a rough time. Malaika also candidly shared on the shock of losing a father as deep as the highly personal character of grief:.
She told the press how much she thanked her mother, whom she considers “the strongest woman on earth,” for giving her strength during such a difficult time. She opened up about how painful it was to go back to work after her father’s death and how people had high expectations of her composed behavior. However, she returned to her professional commitments once she felt ready, acknowledging that grief is a long and personal journey that cannot be easily overcome.
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As a public figure, Malaika also talked about the scrutiny and judgment she received on social media, especially from those who were criticizing her for “bouncing back” too soon. She clarified that, as a celebrity, she still had professional obligations and a presence on social media despite the personal pain she was experiencing. The expectation that she should “move on” quickly was a burden she had to bear, but she has learned to manage it.
On the positive side, Malaika said her son, Arhaan Khan, has had a great year as he has come out of his shell after returning from college. He started a podcast, was spotted by the paparazzi, and is even exploring the restaurant business. She says she was amazed at how a boy who used to be quite shy has taken up so many new things in life with such confidence. She also discussed his future in the entertainment world. She said if he really wants to act, she will back him up, but that will take years to build and would be extremely difficult.
On the work front, Malaika continues to captivate audiences, having made a notable cameo in the song Majha Yek Number. With her signature charm and energy, she left a lasting impact on the track, reminding fans of her unique presence in the entertainment industry.
This year, though it has come with sorrow, has also helped Malaika to reflect and grow. She has found moments of solace amidst the pain by honoring her father’s memory and celebrating the milestones in her son’s life.
