It has been twenty years since Mani Ratnam got Malaika Arora, along with Shah Rukh Khan, to get up on the roof of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway train, as it slithered through the hills of Udhagamandalam and Coonoor. So when Malaika Arora was in the city to launch an international brand at Palladium, Chennai, we caught up with her on the making of the song, her dancing prowess, fashion sense and more.
It’s been 20 years since Uyire ( Dil Se ) released and till date, the scene with the most recall value is that of you dancing on top of that train. Tell us what you remember about the shooting of that song?
Oh my god, that’s too far back now! Let me jog my memory. It was definitely one of my most memorable shoots. Yes of course, the song was just outstanding, but when you shoot for something, you have no idea in what direction the final product will go. You just want to make sure you’re giving your best. But even as we were shooting, we felt we had something iconic in our hands. That dancing on top of the train, I don’t think anybody can recreate. And yes, we took all safety precautions but there was always a little fear that we could fall off.
Over these years, which song did you have the most fun dancing to? From the Tamil industry, whom would you want to collaborate with?
I have had the good fortune to be a part of some really amazing songs in my career. ‘Chaiyyan’, ‘Mahi Ve’, all these have been really fun working on. Each of them have been really different, so it was nice performing in them. I’ve been fairly lucky to have worked with two of the best from the Tamil industry: Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman, I don’t think I could have asked for more.
What’s your fitness routine?
It’s a mix of many things. Anybody who knows me knows how much I’m into fitness. So it’s a blend of yoga, pilates and weight training. But more than anything else, it is to lead a healthy lifestyle: eat right, and try and meditate. Coupling that with working out is the best way to stay fit.
What’s your go-to style statement? If you could choose between always wearing the same pair of shoes but having unlimited handbags and having just one bag but a host of footwear, what would you choose?
I think black is my go-to choice. I love being in black and I always like a tailored suit. I think it’s something that’s flattering to both men and women.
If I had to choose, I would definitely pick shoes over everything else. I’m a shoe person. So I’d be fine with just a bag, but I’d like an assortment of shoes. As for the bag, it would have to be a big one that can hold in everything. I’m a practical person like that.
You have done many dance numbers over the years, and many of them have been super hits. But now with the whole Me Too movement, there has been an international rise against objectification of women in film. What do you have to say about that? Do you think dance numbers will still rule the roost in Bollywood?
Firstly, when I agree to do a song, I do it purely on my instinct. Nobody’s forcing me to do it, so it’s entirely at my discretion, and will. I’m a thinking woman, fairly smart, so I can make that judgement call for myself. So when I do a song, it’s ibecause I feel I can do justice to it, and because I don’t feel I’m being objectified. I do it because I like what I’m doing.
Well, there’ll always be a certain amount of male gaze, male attention, that goes without saying. Then again, I am capable of making those calls. I don’t regret any of the songs I’ve done. If I think the song is portrayed beautifully, I have no qualms performing in it.
