A girl from Mumbai slums, Maleesha Kharwa, is making a splash as India’s youngest supermodel

Anandita Gupta

Imagine gracing the covers of India’s leading fashion magazines at the mere age of 15. Or, being the face of country’s leading beauty and skincare brand, while still being in school. And, well, accomplishing all this when you are living in a crude, run-down hut in a crowded slum area with no basic amenities. All this is nothing short of a Cinderella’s miracle-dream, which has come true for Mumbai’s slum-dweller Maleesha Kharwa.

Early struggles

Maleesha had a very tough life, previously living in a kachchi jhompri (shanty) in Mumbai’s slums. It was a maze of narrow lanes, overflowing drains and makeshift homes piled one on top of the other, garbage and puddles of dirty, muddy water.

“We had no access to electricity and had to walk miles to fill up water cans or even use the public washroom. The fear of eviction from municipal officials added to my family’s struggles,” remembers Maleesha.

However, this little girl never gave up on her starry-eyed dreams. In fact, she wanted to be a model since she was six.

“Every night, I would close my eyes and picture myself walking the ramp for famous designers or getting clicked by fashion photographers,” smiles the starry-eyed dreamer. It was probably this manifesting her dream of being a model every single night that made it come true!

Into the spotlight

Maleesha’s big break came after a chance encounter with Hollywood actor Robert Hoffman. While stuck in Mumbai, during the Covid-19 lockdown, Hoffman met Maleesha while working on a music video with slum dwellers. Impressed by her buoyant spirit, photogenic looks and winning smile, he decided to cast her cousin in his music video (and not her) as he had found her a bit too pretty for that role.

However, he decided to support Maleesha in pursuing her dream of becoming a model, while helping with her education, social media publicity and basic needs.

Maleesha’s life took a 360-degree turn. Hoffman created an Instagram account for Maleesha and launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her education and fuel her dreams. Her videos that Hoffman posted on social media (in which she was seen giving the audiences a peek into her life) went viral.

Adversity to acclaim

Soon, Maleesha was flooded with modelling assignments and offers. Before she knew, she was made the face of India’s leading beauty and skincare brand Forest Essentials’ Yuvati collection in April 2023. This collection isn’t just about skincare; it’s a social initiative aimed at empowering young women. And Maleesha seems to fit the bill perfectly.

“My life has changed so much. Before my big break, I had many financial problems and many difficulties. Now, things are much better,” grins Maleesha, who never forgets to thank God every single day.

So what’s the most exciting part of her new-found success?

“There are many blessings. But the one that makes me the happiest is that my father no longer has to skip his meals,” beams Maleesha.

Inspiring lives

Through her growing social media presence on Instagram, Maleesha now shares her journey, offering a window into her evolving world and inspiring countless others. Her name now shines on the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan, marking a remarkable journey.

“I love doing photoshoots because I meet many interesting and creative people, and I make new friends,” reveals Maleesha, whose biggest dream now is, “To buy a big house for my family.”

At just 16, this Mumbai teenager, who once faced the harsh realities of life in the city’s slums, has ascended to the pinnacle of the fashion world.

Dust to stardust

“I want to be a supermodel but also study a lot. I’m not so fond of acting. I’m inspired by the confidence of Kylie Jenner and Sai Pallavi,” signs off Maleesha, who plans to start Maleesha People, a platform to support kids like her to live their dreams, irrespective of their socio-economic status and financial background.

Maleesha Kharwa’s story is a striking modern fairy tale of transformation and hope. It is a testament to remind us of the profound impact of belief and support.