Malaika Arora has long been known as one of Bollywood’s ultimate dancing queens, from the unforgettable Chaiyya Chaiyya atop a moving train to the iconic Munni Badnaam Hui that defined an era of Bollywood item numbers. Over the years, she’s become synonymous with grace, glamour, and impeccable rhythm. But as it turns out, there’s one person who isn’t easily impressed by her moves: her son, Arhaan Khan.
At the recent launch of her latest track, Poison Baby, in Mumbai, Malaika got candid about how her 21-year-old son keeps her grounded with his brutally honest feedback. The actress and dancer revealed that Arhaan, whom she shares with her ex-husband Arbaaz Khan, not only loves to dance himself but also enjoys poking fun at her performances lovingly, of course.
“He’s fab when he dances,” Malaika said with a proud smile. “He’s superb. Thank God he’s got my dancing genes in him. He dances very well.” She went on to add, laughing, “But he also doesn’t shy away from making fun of me. He’ll be like, ‘Come on, Mom, let’s do this together,’ and then he’ll make fun of me the entire day. He’ll say, ‘Please, you can’t dance like that!’”
The Mom Who Raised a Dancer
Malaika may be one of Bollywood’s most graceful performers, but it’s clear that Arhaan has carved his own space when it comes to rhythm and movement. The 21-year-old, who’s currently studying abroad, often picks up new dance trends and shows them off to his mom whenever he’s home.
“He learns new dance steps and then asks me to perform them with him,” she revealed. “It’s so much fun we end up laughing more than actually dancing. He’s got this great energy, and he’s not afraid to tell me when something looks off.”
Arhaan, Malaika says, has inherited her love for music and movement, something that fills her with pride. “I thank God he’s got that side from me. He’s really good with rhythm and style,” she said.
Interestingly, despite all the teasing, Arhaan does have a soft spot for one of his mom’s most legendary performances. “His all-time favorite song of mine is Munni Badnaam Hui,” Malaika revealed. The song, which became a nationwide phenomenon, featured her alongside Salman Khan, Arhaan’s former uncle. “He grew up watching that song. It still makes him laugh and dance every single time,” she added.
‘Poison Baby’ Marks Malaika’s Return to the Dance Floor
For Malaika, Poison Baby represents something of a return to her roots. After years of making select appearances on reality shows and red carpets, the 48-year-old star is back doing what she does best: commanding the dance floor with her signature charisma and confidence.
“It’s been years since I led a full-blown dance number like this in a film,” she shared. “Stepping into Poison Baby felt electric. The choreography is a mix of strength and sensuality, and I wanted the performance to feel dangerous, beautiful, and untamed all at the same time.”
The sizzling track is sung by Jasmine Sandlas, Sachin-Jigar, and Divya Kumar and will feature in the upcoming horror-comedy Thamma. The film brings together Malaika and Rashmika Mandanna for the first time, an exciting pairing that’s already created a stir among fans.
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma is the latest addition to Maddock Films’ hit horror-comedy universe following Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and Stree 2. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana as the male lead, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui stepping into the role of a chilling villain. Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, Thamma promises to be a “bloody love story” and is set to hit theaters this Diwali on October 21.
Balancing Glamour, Family, and Fun
Even though she is larger than life, Malaika’s experiences with Arhaan reveal a more down-to-earth, sensitive side to her, one that’s relatable. She’s not only the flashy diva bringing erotic fireworks to music videos but also a mom who gets ragged on by her son, makes fun of herself, and thrives on the messiness of family life.
“Arhaan keeps me real,” she admitted in an earlier interview. “He tells me when something doesn’t look good or when I’m being extra. I love that honesty. He’s my biggest cheerleader but also my biggest critic.”
For Malaika, motherhood has been both grounding and empowering. Whether it’s watching her son grow into a confident young man or learning new trends from him, she seems to find joy in every moment. “At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun,” she said. “That’s what dance and life should be about—not perfection, but passion.”
As Poison Baby readies for its big-screen debut, Malaika Arora continues to prove that style, confidence, and a sense of humor never go out of fashion, especially when you’ve got a son who keeps you on your toes, literally and figuratively.
“He may make fun of me,” she said with a laugh, “but deep down, I know he’s proud. And honestly, that’s all that matters.”