Hostess with the mostest

Dhoom Macha De host Malaika Arora Khan shares why compliments make her happy with Sapana Patil Poojary

After being a judge on the dance-based reality show Nach Baliye (seasons 1 and 2), Malaika Arora Khan will now be seen as a host on song-based show Dhoom Macha De (NDTV Imagine).

For Malaika, who started her career as a VJ on music channels, hosting a song-based show wasn’t a challenge. She says, “Music is an integral part of my life. I have been exposed to various types of music in my growing years and I always enjoyed hosting.” 

But what is it about TV that lures her to do shows intermittently; especially for someone who has had a successful attempt on the big screen? Malaika replies, “It is a medium I love working with; whether it is doing commercials or hosting or judging. I enjoy doing every bit of work that I do on TV. It sometimes surprises me on seeing how big TV has become. There are so many channels - so much money. I am glad that I am here at the right time when there are plenty of opportunities. And I feel lucky for having the best of both worlds - the small and big screen.”     

Although Malaika has a memorable repertoire of work to her credit on the big screen, her work has largely been restricted to cameo appearances and special songs. Quiz her if she intends to take up long roles and she says, “I am acting in a film called E.M.I., which has several stories. I am part of one of the stories with Arjun Rampal. Though I am not there throughout the film, but technically I am acting in it.” So is she inclined to taking up more performance-oriented roles? “Let’s see. I don’t plan anything in life. Suniel (Shetty) has offered me a role in his next film though…”   

Malaika is also one of the few women in the industry to have a slender and curvaceous body. And that showers her with a lot of compliments. Ask her how she feels and she laughs. “Someone called me ‘a yummy mummy’; it sounds like a bubblegum to me. But, it feels great to get compliments. I happily and graciously accept them. The more the merrier!”

“But it is not a big thing to achieve such a body. Anyone with a little determination and focus can do that,” she adds. So what is her tip to women who want to have a fulfilling life like hers? “Enjoy life to the fullest and don’t do anything half-heartedly,” she smiles.

p_sapana@dnaindia.net