Malaika Arora & Arbaaz Khan: Choosing Happiness Over a 19-Year Marriage
'We were two people making each other extremely unhappy' — Malaika's brave decision to walk away.
Key Facts
What Happened
Malaika Arora, a Bollywood actress, model, and dancer famous for iconic item numbers like 'Chaiyya Chaiyya,' married Arbaaz Khan — actor, producer, and brother of superstar Salman Khan — in 1998. The couple was a Bollywood fixture for nearly two decades and had one son, Arhaan, born in 2002. But behind the glamorous public image, the marriage had been deteriorating for years.
The couple separated in 2016 and finalized their mutual consent divorce at the Bandra Family Court in Mumbai in 2017. Malaika spoke candidly about the decision, saying: 'It was better off that we moved our separate ways because we were two people in a situation making each other extremely unhappy, which was impacting everybody else's life around us.' She emphasized that the decision was made partly for their son's wellbeing.
The settlement reportedly included alimony of Rs 10-15 crore (approximately $1.5-2 million) paid by Arbaaz to Malaika, along with joint custody of their son Arhaan, with Malaika maintaining primary physical custody. The settlement, while significant, was modest by Bollywood standards — reflecting both the mutual nature of the divorce and Malaika's own substantial independent income from her entertainment and business ventures.
Post-divorce, Malaika's public relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor attracted intense media scrutiny and social media trolling, particularly regarding the age difference. Despite this, she remained vocal about her right to seek happiness after divorce, becoming an informal spokesperson for divorced women in Indian society. Arbaaz also moved on, marrying makeup artist Sshura Khan in 2023. Their divorce, while painful, demonstrated that leaving an unhappy marriage can be the healthiest choice for the entire family.
Legal Breakdown: Indian alimony benchmarks and how unhappy marriages affect children
Mutual Consent Under the Hindu Marriage Act
Malaika and Arbaaz used Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act for a mutual consent divorce. This required them to have been separated for at least one year and to agree on alimony, custody, and property division. The Bandra Family Court in Mumbai handles a large volume of celebrity divorces due to its jurisdiction over the area where many Bollywood stars reside.
Alimony Standards in India
Indian courts consider multiple factors when approving alimony in mutual consent divorces: the husband's income and assets, the wife's independent earning capacity, the standard of living during marriage, and the duration of the marriage. For a 19-year marriage, alimony of Rs 10-15 crore was considered reasonable given that Malaika had significant independent income. Courts typically aim for a fair outcome that does not leave either party in financial distress.
Impact on Children as Legal Consideration
Indian family courts are increasingly recognizing that unhappy marriages harm children. Malaika's public statement that the divorce was partly 'for my kid' reflects a growing legal and social understanding that maintaining a dysfunctional marriage 'for the children' can be more damaging than a clean, respectful separation. Courts may consider the emotional wellbeing of children when evaluating mutual consent applications.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Leaving an unhappy marriage can be an act of courage and responsibility — especially when the unhappiness is affecting children.
- →Independent income gives the lower-earning spouse more negotiating power and reduces financial dependency, leading to more equitable settlements.
- →Mutual consent divorce allows couples to control the narrative and terms, rather than having a judge impose outcomes after a contested trial.
- →Post-divorce stigma remains a challenge, especially for women in conservative societies, but public figures who speak openly can shift cultural attitudes.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Karisma Kapoor & Sunjay Kapur
India · 2014–2016
She alleged DV and dowry harassment; he called her an unfit mother — the court battle lasted over a decade
Custody & ChildrenBrad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
United States · 2016–present
8+ years of custody battles — and still no final resolution
Custody & ChildrenDiego Maradona & Claudia Villafañe (+ others)
Argentina · 2003–2020
11 recognized and alleged children, multiple countries, and a disputed fortune
Custody & Children¿Te fue útil? Ayúdanos a mantenerlo gratis.
divorce911.ai se financia completamente con donaciones. Cada dólar mantiene al asistente IA y las 1,700+ guías gratis para personas en crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.