Bollywood actor Malaika Arora has once again sparked a sharp conversation on gender bias in society. Speaking with Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story, the actress said that women continue to be judged harshly for their personal choices—whether it’s divorce, relationships, or marriage—while men often escape such scrutiny.
Malaika, who married Arbaaz Khan in 1998 and separated in 2018, later entered a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor. Arbaaz, too, moved on and remarried Shura Khan. Reflecting on these life changes, Malaika said that the judgment is almost always reserved for women.
“A man marries someone half his age and people say, ‘What a man!’”
Without naming anyone, Malaika commented on the common societal trend where men marrying much younger women are celebrated.
She said:
“When a man divorces or marries a woman half his age, society hails him. But if a woman takes the same step, she is questioned and criticised. The patriarchal mindset still hasn’t changed.”
According to her, no matter how successful or independent a woman becomes, she is constantly expected to justify her personal decisions. Malaika emphasised that women are still evaluated on outdated notions of ‘strength’ and ‘ideal behaviour.’
Advice Malaika Received From Her Mother
Sharing a personal anecdote, Malaika revealed that her mother was shocked when she decided to marry at the age of 25.
Her mother would always tell her:
- “Live your life first.”
- “Go out, explore the world.”
- “Don’t marry the first man you date.”
But Malaika laughed and admitted that she ended up doing exactly that—marrying the first man she went out with. Her mother could never fully understand why she made such an early and decisive commitment.
When Women Marry Older Men, Society Suddenly Has Questions
The actress highlighted another societal prejudice:
Marriage norms are still rooted in the belief that the man must be older and the woman younger. While men marrying younger women is seen as normal, women choosing older partners invite unnecessary judgement.
This, she said, is a result of deep-seated patriarchal conditioning, where women’s choices are undervalued and overly scrutinized.
What Truly Matters in a Relationship—Not Age, but Understanding
Experts and relationship counsellors agree that age has little to do with the success of a relationship.
What truly strengthens a bond are:
- Mutual understanding
- Honest communication
- Respect for each other’s individuality and space
- Patience and emotional support
- Acceptance of each other’s flaws
- Shared willingness to grow together
In the end, Malaika’s message is clear:
A relationship should be judged by the depth of connection between two people—not by their age difference or society’s outdated expectations.
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