India, Nov. 17 -- Actor Malaika Arora turned a year older last month, writing on Instagram, "Thank you all for the love, the wishes, and for making my 50th truly special." This milestone has become a talking point, not just because of the number, but because she continues to headline dance numbers in a business where ageism still shapes many women's careers. "It's about evolving with the times without losing your core. You have to keep learning, stay fit, reinvent your style, and most importantly, keep your passion alive," she tells us, adding, "I never want to be complacent or stuck in a particular image. If young performers, especially women, feel confident about choosing their own path because of something I did, that would be the greatest legacy." While she did try her hand at acting, Malaika admits her real impact was always forged on the dance floor: "Acting never gave me the same rush as performing a dance number. I enjoyed acting, but dance feels like home to me." Many of her early hits were labelled 'item numbers', a tag she found restrictive. "The label 'item number' felt a bit limiting, but today I see so many artistes taking it as a creative challenge. The focus is more on performance, concept, and how a song fits into the narrative." As for stepping behind the camera someday, she simply says, "Never say never." On the personal front, she remains unfazed by scrutiny around her relationships and choices. "I've learned to focus on my truth, and I don't let negativity decide my self-worth. Trolls will be trolls, but I choose not to engage with that toxicity," she says, adding that her idea of love today is simple: "Love is about respect, happiness, and companionship."...