A Glimpse into the Life of a 15-Year-Old Model’s Rise from a Mumbai Slum
Maleesha Kharwa, a 15-year-old resident of a Mumbai slum, nurtured a fervent aspiration of stepping into the world of modeling. A twist of fate turned her dreams into reality when she encountered Robert Hoffman. Today, she stands as a professional adolescent model, gracing the covers of esteemed magazines. Here lies an exclusive interview chronicling her voyage and the myriad facets that constitute her pursuit of a dream.
An Unexpected Encounter In the year 2020, Robert Hoffman, renowned for his role in “Step Up 2: The Streets” (2008), found himself in Mumbai to shoot a music video. What commenced as a brief visit transmuted into an extended sojourn, he recollects.
“My presence was tethered to the premiere of a short film I collaborated on with Arsala Qureshi and Jas Sagu. However, serendipity intertwined with the advent of the COVID lockdown, confining me for a span of five months,” he imparts to The Better India. “The music video project I had envisaged plummeted right at the onset of the lockdown, postponing our inaugural day of shooting. The frustration was palpable.”
It was during this juncture that Robert’s path crossed with Maleesha’s.
Maleesha Kharwa’s Metamorphosis from Slum Dweller to Model Maleesha Kharwa’s Metamorphosis from Slum Dweller to Model, Image Source: Maleesha On seeing her for the first time, he was struck by a question concerning the circumstances that led her to dwell on the streets. He perceived a “million-dollar face” radiating from her countenance. “I was convinced that Mumbai — the entertainment capital of India — could not have overlooked her. Undoubtedly, the global beauty industry would perceive her differently.”
Approaching Maleesha, Robert inquired about her aspirations for the future, prompting an immediate response. “I aspire to be a dancer and a model.”
While Maleesha’s utterance encapsulated her dreams, Robert discerned that her life was on the cusp of transformation.
