Men are never asked this question”, Malaika Arora questions patriarchal hypocrisy in beauty standards for men and women

Bollywood News:

Actress and iconic dancer Malaika Arora, who has completed over 30 years in the entertainment industry, recently spoke out about the stark disparity in how ageing is perceived for men and women. She highlighted how women are constantly questioned about growing older and expected to justify how they feel about it, while men are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny. Calling out this deeply ingrained bias, she pointed to the patriarchal mindset that continues to shape beauty standards, where ageing in men is often normalized or even celebrated, but in women, it is treated as something to be examined or defended.When asked about navigating perceptions around the evolution of her appearance over time, Malaika Arora, during her conversation on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra (Season 3), produced by Gautam Thakker Films, shared her perspective._“There are days when these thoughts cross my mind, days when I question the obvious, and then there are days when I simply don’t care because I know I’m doing what I love. I’m enjoying this phase of my life, I feel like I’m in my prime, and I’m still hungry to do so much more. That’s what truly matters to me”_ *says Malaika*

She further adds

”What I find interesting is that women are constantly asked these questions about age, beauty, and desirability, while men are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny. A woman is always expected to justify how she looks, “Do you still feel beautiful? Do you still feel desirable? How does it feel to be this age?’ These questions are almost never directed at men. For me, it’s never been just about physical appearance. Of course, that’s what the world sees first, but there’s so much more. It’s about how you feel mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s about what drives you, what motivates you to get out of bed every morning and seize the day. I don’t wake up thinking, ‘I look good today.’ That’s not how most women function. We wake up wanting to create, contribute, build something meaningful, and leave behind a legacy that our children and families can be proud of”_Malaika Arora shares a powerful message for women everywhere _“And honestly, the constant commentary around women and age needs to change. ‘She looks amazing for her age,’ ‘She’s so fit at this age’, why is age always the headline? I was myself then, I am myself now, and I’ll continue to be myself twenty years from now because I feel good, I feel strong, and I feel fulfilled. I think women everywhere need to wear that confidence like a badge of honour, unapologetically. We should celebrate ourselves, our journeys, and everything we continue to become”_On the work front, Malaika Arora continues to remain a prominent presence in music and pop culture, with recent appearances including “Poison Baby” from Thamma (2025) and “Chillgum” alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh. She is widely celebrated for her iconic dance numbers such as “Munni Badnaam Hui” and “Chaiyya Chaiyya.”