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Gyrating her way into people's heart

The most sought after `item girl' Malaika Arora Khan talks to Bindu Shajan Perappadan...

There could have been no other way. Malaika Arora Khan had to burst into the Bollywood scene gyrating in the `bravest gravity defying' dance sequence atop a train. And accompanying her was none other but the superstar Shah Rukh Khan himself.

Two things happened almost overnight after this dance sequence in `Dil Se' hit the public domain. First Bollywood discovered that women could do a lot more than the normal dance sequence and second Malaika's days as just another `hot' VJ were over.

Having never looked back ever since, this queen of hearts, with eyes like a soulful ballad and a body to kill for, has been most recently seen `getting fresh' ever so often in a popular television commercial.

Having steam rolled herself into the consciousness of the Indian audiences, Malaika is rated among that most sought for `item girl' and has a schedule jammed with request for stage shows. All this when Malaika even does not have any major film role to boast of and isn't exactly know for her acting skills. However, she admits to be completely in love with films.

"Movies are made to entertain and once on stage or in front of the camera, you don't feel anxious, nervous, worried or even afraid to even go out and make a fool of yourself. Just the joy of being able to dance, sing, act and put together a performance is so magical that the moment takes over you and precedes any other negative feeling that may come your way. Performing for me is the purest form of joy and is an experience that I would like to repeat whenever I get an opportunity. The moment has to be felt and without doubt, you would get addicted to the limelight and the grease and the hard work that goes into weaving this magic," says Malaika, speaking about her experience in Bollywood. This natural performer who was in the Capital recently as the unofficial spokesperson for the Bollywood concert on September 17, also swears that her sister is more of a friend than a comparison scale and adds that the best thing about being in the film industry is the fact that she has a "sister here with whom I often share a stage".

Ask her about her numerous stage performances that keep her on her toes all year long and Malaika claims that she is totally in love with them for the "instant joy" that it gives.

"Most people ask me why I do so many shows. Well my answer is, why not. It is instant gratification, there is overflowing love, admiration, the audience there can be seen screaming for more... they clearly have a good time and as performers we can not ask for more... nothing is really comparable to that feeling. After saying all that I do want to add that the exposure is good and the money that it brings along is always welcome," she explains.

First noticed and appreciated for her high-voltage performance and sizzling chemistry with King Khan, Malaika admits that Shah Rukh Khan is special. Calling him the "forbidden apple" she says, "He is truly the king in Bollywood. Be it acting, dancing, live performance there is no mistaking his star quality. And that is also probably what makes him larger than life for his audience."

"In fact when people ask me why I do performance like `Temptations 2005', I tell them that it because I get a chance to work with the best of the best," adds Malaika.

But all is not stage shows and grease paints for this Bollywood star. Dedicate to the cause of handicapped people, Malaika claims that she wants to cross over from her role as just a performer as also do something for society. "I feel that as actors we live a charmed life and in response to the love that the audience and fans give us, we have to give something back to society. In our packed schedule, projects like Temptations help us contribute our bit and we are grateful for the opportunity. I feel that with this show I am able to go that extra mile and do something for the people who really do require help, love and our respect."

Known to be secretive and tight-lipped about her projects, Malaika divulged that the audience would get to see her in several new projects soon. "I promise you that I will continue to entertain you in my forthcoming projects but till they are actually out, it wouldn't be wise to speak about them."

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