Maleesha Kharwa, an Indian model, internet personality, and influencer, gained immense fame when she became the face of Forest Essentials’ luxurious beauty brand. The brand chose her to showcase their ‘Yuvati Selection’ collection of cosmetic products. Maleesha’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings to success has captivated many.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born on January 13, 2008 under the zodiac sign of Capricorn, she resides in Dharavi, a suburb of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Maleesha comes from a Hindu Kharwa family. Her father, Mukesh Kharwa, works as a cartoon mascot, and she has a younger brother named Sahil Kharwa. Maleesha has shared that her mother is not present in her life and prefers not to discuss her in interviews.
EDUCATION
Currently studying in the 10th standard at a local government-run school in Mumbai.
CAREER
Maleesha’s path to success took an unexpected turn in 2020 when American actor Robert Hoffman, stranded in India due to the pandemic, noticed her in Mumbai while she and her family were seeking job opportunities as background actors on Robert’s film sets. Intrigued by her stories, academic achievements, and potential as a model and dancer, Robert became her agent. With her family’s consent, he started sharing videos of Maleesha on social media, which garnered praise from viewers for her beauty.
Living in one of the shelters in a Bandra slum, Maleesha has spoken openly about the hardships her family faces. She considers it a luxury to have two good meals a day, especially during the monsoon season, as described on her GoFundMe page. As her story went viral worldwide, she attracted the attention of various media outlets.
Maleesha embarked on her modeling career at the age of 12, and once she started earning money, she moved with her family to a 1BHK room in Bandra, leaving behind the slum. In 2021, she appeared in the short film “Live Your Fairytale,” directed by Arsala Qureishi and Jas Sagu. The film portrayed the real-life experiences of Maleesha and four other slum children as they visited a restaurant for the first time.
With her captivating presence, Maleesha has won the hearts of people globally, thanks to Robert Hoffman. She has featured in numerous TV commercials and print ads for well-known brands. Her remarkable journey has been recognized by prominent publications such as Vogue, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, and The Peacock Magazine.
In 2023, Forest Essentials, the luxury beauty brand, approached Maleesha once again. They offered her the opportunity to be the face of their new ad campaign for the ‘Yuvati Selection’ line of products, further solidifying her position in the industry.
