There was a time when Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan were inseperable, or atleast looked so from the pictures. But times have changed now. Both the parties have moved on in their lives after their divorce in 2017. Malaika is now in a rumored relationship with diamond mechant after her relationship got over with Arjun Kapoor whereas Arbaaz Khan married Sshura Khan in 2023.
Malaika and Barkha were discussing about the double standards that society sets for older men and older women in dating. The talk became interesting when Malaika opined that a man is praised and cheered by society for living a certain lifestyle and for remarrying a women half her age, whereas a woman is perceived negatively for being in a relationship with a much younger man.
Its not clear whether Malaika took a subtle dig at her ex husband Arbaaz Khan who married a much younger Sshura Khan in 2023. While Arbaaz is nearing 59 years of age, his wife Sshura Khan is only 35 years of age as of 2025.
Malaika however clearly emphasized that she does not have any problem with men with what they do with their lives, be it marrying a women half their age but it appeared that she indicated of Arbaaz Khan when she opined that men don’t receive any negativity for marrying a girl half their age.
“There are loads of men in this room, and I have utmost regard for you. I have utmost love for you because I feel some of the men in my life have been really instrumental for the woman I am today. They have been really amazing men in my life irrespective of whether they are past, exes, etc. They all had a certain impact in my life.”
“But I think in today’s day and age, a man doing it, a man living a certain life is great (while signalling thumbs up). It’s fantastic, and I am not bashing, I really am not. I just wonder why.”
“A man decides to move on, divorce, remarry somebody half his age — you know it’s like WOW! What a man. But a woman wanting to do it is always questioned.”
“If a woman has to do it, it is always looked at as — ‘Why would you do something like that? Doesn’t she have sense?’ So I think these are just constant stereotypes that are there that need to be really shut down.”
— Malaika on Ageism Disparity conversation with Barkha Dutt
Malaika’s Relationship with Younger men After her Divorce
It is important to note that Malaika was in a high-profile relationship for nearly 5 years with a much younger Arjun Kapoor after her divorce with Arbaaz Khan. Her relationship with Arjun Kapoor received lot of flak in the early days as not only Arjun Kapoor was quite close with the Khan family but was also the ex-boyfriend of Arpita Khan. Salman Khan also used to train Arjun Kapoor in his younger days. Netizens at that time also criticised Malaika Arora as Arjun Kapoor is around 12 years younger to her.
Rumors these days indicate that the beauty queen is dating Harsh Mehta, a diamond merchant, who is alleged to be 33 years of age, almost 20 years younger to Malaika Arora.
