The conclusion of the much-celebrated dance competition ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11’ brought not just high-octane dance performances, but also put to rest a simmering controversy involving celebrity judge Malaika Arora. The Bollywood star, who has long been known for her fitness and lifestyle choices, recently became the center of an online debate over her dietary preferences.
Malaika, who graced the judging panel of ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11,’ faced trolling by netizens after they unearthed her previous interviews where she professed to be a vegetarian. Contrasting old statements, recent clips showed the actress indulging in meat, sparking a debate regarding the authenticity of her claims. In an attempt to clear the air, Malaika took to social media with a playful and deliberate reveal of her current dietary habits.
During a candid video segment from the finale’s potluck session, which was shared online by co-judge and filmmaker Farah Khan Kunder, conversations swirled around the home-cooked delicacies each member brought to celebrate the show’s culmination. Farah quipped, “today is the finale of Jhalak, or sab apne apne ghar se kuch laaye hain,” suggesting a communal sharing of dishes amongst the judges and hosts.
With the banter in full swing, Malaika chimed in, making a point to enumerate the vegetarian dishes she contributed to the potluck. “I have bought vegetarian dishes — kadi, aloo ghobi, methi paratha, and gazar ka halwa. All vegetarian Farah,” she emphasized, intentionally punctuating the word ‘vegetarian’ to address the ongoing online trolls.
The witty repartee between her and co-judge Arshad Warsi further highlighted the issue when he inquired, “You were vegetarian some five years back, right?” Malaika’s sarcastic retort, “I was 18 also many years back”, served to underscore the futility of holding public figures to outdated statements.
While Malaika’s vegetarian spread became a statement piece, other judges and guests brought in their own flavors. Arshad Warsi brought hara keema and pao, Gauahar Khan shared ‘khichda,’ and Farah Khan showcased her Mutton Biryani, all contributing to the collective feast that marked the season’s grand finale.
Captioned “Epic Finale needed an epic lunch!! Will miss our food sessions guyyyssss,” the post became a testament to the camaraderie and jovial atmosphere that ran through the season.
The final episode saw special appearances by the cast of ‘Murder Mubarak’, including Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, and Sanjay Kapoor, and ‘Madness Machayenge India Ko Hasayenge’ stars like Huma Qureshi, host Harsh Gujral, and comedian Inder Sahani. The top five contenders for the trophy were Manisha Rani, Shoaib Ibrahim, Dhanashree Verma, Adrija Sinha, and Sreerama Chandra, with Manisha Rani emerging as the victor. Her win was historic, as she became the first-ever wild card entrant to lift the trophy.
Apart from the competitive spirit and the tasty potluck, the finale also witnessed a wrap party where Malaika Arora let her hair down. A video posted by Farah Khan featured Malaika dancing to the rhythmic beats of ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya,’ with a caption that celebrated the end of the season: “The judges of #jhalakdikhlajaa sure know how to rock a party! So do the contestants what a wonderful farewell to a very special season.”
As ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11’ bids farewell, the cast and crew reminisce about the memories crafted throughout the show. Among the shared joys and heated dance-offs, it’s evident that moments like the finale potluck, where Malaika Arora playfully dismissed the hullabaloo surrounding her diet, will be remembered with a smile by both the participants and the audience alike.
