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Malaika Arora: My 21st Century Journey from Glamour to Entrepreneurship

Malaika Arora reflects on the profound evolution of Bollywood over the first quarter of the 21st century, noting a shift from formulaic, star-driven stories to braver, more honest narratives. She highlights the technological revolution, from digital filmmaking and VFX to the rise of streaming platforms, which changed how audiences engage with content. Personally, Arora describes her own journey as one of constant reinvention, expanding from glamour and dance into fitness, entrepreneurship, and authorship. She cites landmark films and performances that defined the era, emphasizing how they, alongside the growth of female-led stories, have set the stage for Bollywood's confident global future.

Key Points: Malaika Arora on Bollywood's 25-Year Evolution & Reinvention

  • Bollywood's shift to brave, layered stories
  • Tech evolution from digital filmmaking to OTT
  • Rise of sharper, involved audiences
  • Growth of strong female narratives
3 min read

Malaika Arora on first quarter of 21st century: It's been a journey of reinvention for me

Malaika Arora reflects on Bollywood's transformation in storytelling & tech, her personal reinvention, and the films that defined an era.

"Personally, it's been a journey of reinvention for me, growing beyond glamour and dance into fitness, entrepreneurship, and now a published author. - Malaika Arora"

Mumbai, Dec 24

As the first quarter of the 21st century draws to a close, Bollywood diva Malaika Arora is reflecting on a phase marked by change, growth and constant reinvention. She went on to add that Bollywood has undergone a meaningful and exciting transformation, which reshaped storytelling, technology and the way audiences engage with cinema.

Reflecting on the first 25 years of the 21st century, how she thinks Bollywood has evolved in terms of storytelling, technology, and audience engagement compared to the late 20th century, Malaika told IANS exclusively: "Looking back at the first 25 years of this century, Bollywood has evolved beautifully. In the late 90s, storytelling was far more formula and star driven. Today, it's braver, more layered and honest.

She added that the technology has gone over and beyond from digital filmmaking to VFX and OTT platforms.

"And not just that, today's audience has also changed . They are sharper, more involved, and open to diverse narratives."

Which shifts surprised her the most?

Malaika added: "What (presently) surprised me most was how content led cinema and unconventional stories found mainstream acceptance gradually."

Talking about how it has been personally for you, Malaika added: "Personally, it's been a journey of reinvention for me, growing beyond glamour and dance into fitness, entrepreneurship, and now a published author."

Looking at the films and performances that have defined this era, Malaika named titles such as Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Queen, Gully Boy and Andhadhun as milestones that reshaped mainstream Hindi cinema.

"As we close this chapter, films like Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Queen, Gully Boy, Andhadhun etc have truly defined the era."

She also highlighted Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's body of work from Swades and Chak De! India to My Name Is Khan and more recently Pathaan as films that have influenced Bollywood's emotional and cultural landscape across generations.

"Alongside these, Shah Rukh Khan's films from Swades and Chak De! India to My Name Is Khan and more recently Pathaan have also shaped the emotional and cultural pulse of Bollywood across generations."

She added: "Actors like Kareena to Alia to Kriti Sanon's journey too has been iconic, with performances in Jab We Met, Omkara, Gangubai, Mimi reflecting the evolution of strong, complex female characters."

According to Malaika, these films, performances and trends along with the growth of streaming platforms have laid the foundation for the next phase of Hindi cinema.

"Together, these films and performances, along with the rise of female led narratives and streaming platforms, have laid the foundation for a future where Bollywood confidently balances scale with substance, and going global, while staying rooted," said Malaika.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Respectfully, while I agree with most points, I feel the article glosses over how the "star-driven" system is still very much alive. Big budgets still go to star kids and established heroes. True content-led cinema often struggles for funding compared to mass masala films. The change is there, but it's slower than portrayed.
R
Rohit P
Malaika's own journey is inspiring! From a dancer to a fitness icon and entrepreneur. It mirrors how Bollywood itself has diversified. Also, great call on mentioning Shah Rukh Khan's filmography. From Swades to Pathaan, he has indeed defined emotions for generations of Indians. 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
As someone who moved to Mumbai a decade ago, it's fascinating to see this perspective. The rise of female-led narratives she mentions is so crucial. Films like Gangubai and Mimi show a depth for actresses that wasn't always there. The audience is ready for more!
V
Vikram M
Totally agree about the audience being sharper. We don't just accept anything now. Social media holds everyone accountable, from filmmakers to actors. If the story is weak, no star power can save it. The mention of Dil Chahta Hai is perfect - that film truly changed the urban youth narrative.
K
Kriti O
Good read! The technology point is huge. Remember when green screen effects looked so fake? Now our VFX teams are working on global projects. And OTT platforms have been a blessing during the pandemic, giving us so many great web series. The future she describes, balancing scale with substance, sounds perfect.

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