(June 25, 2023) “People say I live in a slum but I love my life! I hope to be a supermodel to help my family eat,” reads 15-year-old Maleesha Kharwa’s Insta bio. The teenager from Mumbai’s slum is already inching towards her dream as she featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan and is now the face of a luxury beauty brand Forest Essentials. This was all a dream for her who lived in a makeshift shanty made of sticks, but things took a turn for the better when American actor Robert Hoffman spotted her in 2020. Little did Maleesha know that the encounter was set to change the course of her life.
Maleesha Kharwa
It was in the spring of 2020 that Step Up 2: The Streets actor Robert landed in Mumbai for the shoot of a music video for which he was scouting for an authentic slum dweller. One of his friends told him about this beautiful girl living in a slum. That’s how he met Maleesha, then a 12-year-old with a “million-dollar smile” living on the streets of Mumbai. “I couldn’t believe she was in the middle of Mumbai living on the street yet nobody had discovered her. I came to realise this was because the Indian culture regards dark skin as unattractive. But I knew for sure the international beauty industry would see her differently, especially in tandem with her unforgettable levity and charm in spite of all else,” said Hoffman. What was meant to be a short trip ended up in a five-month long stay, owing to the lockdown and pandemic. Though the music shoot was stalled indefinitely, he knew he had found a gem in Mumbai.
In pursuit of stardom
When Robert approached Maleesha, she was living in a slum in Bandra with her family in a house made of sticks, which was often razed down by the municipality, and the family would rebuild it for the umpteenth time. When asked about her dreams, she revealed that she wants to be a model. Despite her situation, Maleesha dreamt big, and Universe somehow conspired to get her what she wished for. Then in sixth standard in a government-run school, Maleesha undertook odd jobs to make money. “Sometimes my family will go to TV and movie sets hoping to get picked as background actors. This is how I got interested in becoming a professional child model! There are many jobs like children’s clothing catalogues which I could potentially get cast in!,” she wrote on her GoFundMe page.
When Robert met her and realised her potential, he knew the next step was to speak to her father, of course, with the help of an interpreter, explaining to them the opportunity that had the potential to change her life forever. “We spoke at great lengths, so I could be sure they understood that modelling was neither a guarantee, nor something that could be counted on forever,” he told Better India, adding that after days of consultation, the family decided to let Maleesha give it a try.
The dawn of a new life
This gave Robert enough confidence to start an Instagram page, sharing Maleesha’s story. His goal was to help her connect with a supportive and reliable community of women who are trustworthy and professional. He wanted her to have a strong network of peers, influence, and accountability.
The story touched the hearts of many cheering her on, and soon earned her the moniker of Slum Princess, who now boasts of 332k followers on Instagram. While she found fame on social media, Robert had to figure out the legalities before letting her start her modelling career. “We began speaking to NGOs, the US consulate in Mumbai, entertainment figureheads, and unending voluntary consultants about how to craft Maleesha’s movement and the GoFundMe account for her ( which has amounted to $14,873 so far) in the most delicate way, considering her age and socioeconomic status,” he told the website.
Maleesha Kharwa with Robert Hoffman
The same year, she featured on the cover of Peacock Magazine, thus inspiring millions that “those who dare to dream often find a way to make them come true.” That was her big breakthrough, and soon more modelling projects starting lining up for the teenager. She even featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan‘s 26th anniversary issue in 2022. The money from the modelling assignments helped her rent a one-room flat in a tenement in Mumbai. “Earlier, we did not have proper electricity, we had to go far to fetch water but now we have a power connection, there is a ceiling fan, we have tap water,” she told a daily, adding, “The municipality would often demolish our huts but now we have a safer roof over our heads. My father is proud of me.”
Maleesha Kharwa on the cover of Cosmopolitan
However, Robert wants Maleesha to strike a healthy balance between modelling and leading a normal life, and has made it clear that her work hours would be limited. “Education would always come first, and that modelling stops if grades go down. Early on, it was decided that Maleesha would stay clear of pageants and mass-auditioning. In fact, Maleesha has yet to go to a single audition. Every job so far has come to her. The kid and her story are truly magic,” he added.
Encouraging Indian women to embrace natural beauty
In a country that’s obsessed with fair skin, the metrics are alarming as India Fairness Cream and Bleach Market Outlook report revealed that the market is anticipated to grow six percent CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) by 2027-28. However, Maleesha is on a mission to encourage women, especially youngsters to embrace natural beauty. “I see beauty in everything. Many people think that only light skin is beautiful … I just think it is silly. It is not how I see the world. Beautiful faces are nice but beauty is more important on the inside. I love my complexion and I feel perfect. I am very happy that I can share the message that there is no proper rule for girls and women to follow. They can do whatever they want to do. I am happy that I can inspire other girls and tell them that they are special,” she added.
Maleesha’s story is one of hope and faith. From scraping for food to finally getting a chance to follow her dreams, the teen has come a long way. “My journey is proof that nothing is impossible…you just need to keep trying.”
- Follow Maleesha Kharwa on Instagram
