The track from Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se’ not only gave Shah Rukh Khan one of his most loved dance numbers but also made Malaika Arora a household name overnight.
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Some stars shine through films, others through songs. And, for Malaika Arora, it was a train, a beat, and a moment that changed everything. Long before item songs became a Bollywood trend, ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ made her a sensation overnight.
But the way she landed the iconic number wasn’t through auditions or big negotiations. It happened over friendly dinners, casual hangouts, and a simple “Chalo, you only do it” from Farah Khan.
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The track from Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se’ not only gave Shah Rukh Khan one of his most loved dance numbers but also made Malaika Arora a household name overnight.
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Recently, Malaika opened up about how she got the opportunity and what it was like working with Shah Rukh Khan and choreographer Farah Khan on the sets.
In a candid chat with Pinkvilla, Malaika recalled that it all happened very casually. She explained that she, Farah Khan, Sajid Khan, and a few others were part of the same friend circle back then. They would often meet for dinners, games, and casual hangouts. When Farah was looking for a dancer for the song, she simply turned to Malaika.
According to Malaika, Farah had already seen her dance at parties and social gatherings. “She knew how I dance. So one day she just said, ‘Chalo, you only do it.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, cool, I’ll do it.’”
Talking about Shah Rukh Khan, Malaika shared that she had met him socially before ‘Dil Se’ but had never interacted with him at length. He was more like a family friend she would see around at gatherings. Working on the song gave her a chance to get to know him better, and she was touched by how warmly he treated her.
“He was amazing,” Malaika said with a smile. “Both Shah Rukh and Farah made me feel like their own child. I didn’t have to worry about anything on set because they were always looking out for me.”
Shooting ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ was no easy task. The song was filmed on top of a moving train, and it required a lot of energy and courage. Malaika admitted that she was nervous at first, but the entire crew made her feel safe and comfortable.
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