Malaika Arora on dealing with noisy internet: ‘Don’t consume everything that’s said about me’ | Interview

OVer the trend of her vocation, Malaika Arora has oft been below the public stare, often facing trolling and intense scrutiny on social media. However, she has come to realise that while the internet is loud, it is not always wise. She added that she has consciously drawn boundaries, ensuring her personal life remains outside the realm of public debate.On dealing with noise on the internetIn an interview with Hindustan Times, Malaika opens up about how she deals with the loud and often toxic nature of the internet, revealing that she has learned to detach herself from the negativity online.“I protect it (her inner joy) by remembering that the internet is loud, but it is not always wise. There’s a difference. Over the years, I’ve realised that if you keep handing your peace over to public opinion, you’ll never feel settled within yourself,” Malaika tells us.Malaika, who recently launched her lifestyle accessories brand Maejoy, continues, “I’ve learned to create boundaries. I don’t consume everything that’s said about me. I don’t internalise every opinion. I lean on real life, my work, my loved ones, my routines, the things that actually nourish me. That’s what keeps me grounded.”Here, she admits that it was not always the case, adding that the wisdom to deal with it has come with age.“And honestly, with age comes perspective. You stop reacting to every passing noise. You understand that criticism often says more about the person throwing it than the person receiving it. My joy today comes from being anchored in who I am. That’s my maejoy. It’s personal, it’s protected, and it’s not up for public debate,” says Malaika, whose personal life continues to draw attention after her split from actor Arjun Kapoor. On ‘being Malaika’Malaika has long lived under constant public scrutiny, from her marriage to Arbaaz Khan and her relationship and eventual split with Arjun Kapoor to even her fashion choices, making headlines.Over time, she has learned to truly embrace who she is without apologising for it, a confidence that came only after years of battling self-doubt and confusion.“I think the thing I’m most joyful about today is my ease with myself. Earlier, like many women, I think I spent a lot of time wondering if I was being too much, too outspoken, too visible, too ambitious, too glamorous, too independent. With time, you realise that the very things people want to shrink in you are often your strengths. Today, I genuinely enjoy being who I am without apologising for it,” says the mother of one.Malaika shares, “At this stage of my life, joy comes from not constantly editing yourself to make other people comfortable. I’ve earned that comfort in my own skin.”On new entrepreneurial ventureApart from her glamorous life in the limelight, Malaika has also been steadily building her entrepreneurial journey, from launching restaurants such as Scarlett House to expanding into the lifestyle space with her own brand. She recently launched her elevated lifestyle accessories brand in collaboration with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra.For Malaika, the lifestyle-accessories brand is “built on the philosophy ‘The Joy of Being Me’, and celebrates individuality, confidence, and self-expression.“I’ve always believed that style should feel empowering but also effortless… It’s about simplifying without losing the essence - focusing on strong silhouettes, thoughtful details and versatility,” she reveals.