Malaika Arora says she chooses 'distance over disrespect' after breakup; fans wonder if it's a dig at Arjun Kapoor

Bollywood star Malaika Arora recently took to social media to share a cryptic but introspective post that has caught the attention of many. Months after confirming her breakup with actor Arjun Kapoor, Malaika posted a message that emphasized the importance of peace, mental well-being, and self-respect — prompting speculation among fans and social media users.

On April 7, Malaika shared an Instagram Story that read, “The older you get, the more you choose calm over conflict and distance over disrespect. Drama becomes intolerable to you, and your peace becomes your ultimate priority. You start surrounding yourself with people who are good for your mental health, heart, and soul.”

Her post quickly made its way to Reddit, where users offered mixed reactions. One person commented, “Thought her and Arjun would be endgame. Imagine Janhvi and Malaika as sisters-in-law.” Another remarked, “What she is realising in her 50s, I realised in my 20s. We are not the same.” Some were less empathetic, with one user saying, “She is still doing teenage stuff.”


Public Confirmation of Their Split

Malaika and Arjun Kapoor had gone public with their relationship in 2018, often sharing glimpses of their bond on social media and making joint appearances. Their relationship had become a frequent topic of public interest, especially given their openness. However, in 2024, Arjun confirmed during the promotional campaign for Singham Again that he was single, thereby addressing months of speculation around their relationship status.

Later, in an interview with ETimes, Malaika spoke about her decision to remain private. “I am a very private person, and there are certain aspects of my life which I don’t want to elaborate on much. I will never choose a public platform to talk about my personal life. So, whatever Arjun has said is entirely his prerogative. I just want to say that, yes, it has been a very trying year for various reasons. I think it is time for all of us to move on from whatever transpired in the year that went by. I am ready for the New Year and a new start in my life,” she said.

Focusing on Career and Moving Ahead

Professionally, both stars appear to be moving forward. Malaika is currently seen as a judge on Hip Hop India Season 2 alongside renowned choreographer Remo D’Souza. The dance reality show is streaming on Amazon MX Player. Arjun Kapoor, who was last seen in Mere Husband Ki Biwi, a film that underperformed at the box office, will next appear in No Entry 2, directed by Boney Kapoor, where he stars alongside Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh.

While neither Malaika nor Arjun has spoken in detail about the reasons for their separation, both have signaled a desire to move forward without dwelling on the past.