Maleesha Kharwa: The Inspiring Story of Mumbai's 'Slum Princess'

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The inspiring story of Maleesha Kharwa, a model and internet influencer from India, has captured global attention.

Known as the "princess from the slum," Maleesha has successfully ascended the global fashion stage from a life of hardship in one of Mumbai's largest slums.

Born and raised in the Dharavi area of ​​Mumbai, Maleesha Kharwa faced extremely difficult living conditions from childhood but this did not dampen her passion for modeling.

At the age of 16 in October 2024, Maleesha has achieved much beyond expectations.

From a slum hut without electricity to the cover of a renowned fashion magazine, Maleesha Kharwa's story is a reflection of resilience and the continued growth of hope despite limitations.

In a YouTube video by Drew Binsky, that was uploaded in January 24, 2026, Maleesha Kharwa tells how she grew up in Dharavi, Mumbai, a densely populated slum.

Her daily life was full of challenges, including living in a makeshift shack in Bandra, Mumbai, with no access to electricity or clean water.

She had to walk long distances to get water, and her family was constantly haunted by the fear of being evicted by municipal officials.

Her father, Mukesh Kharwa, worked hard as a clown in children's shows to support his young family, including Maleesha and her younger brother.

Although their living conditions were far from adequate, Maleesha had been nurturing big dreams since the age of five or six.

She often imagined herself walking the catwalk for famous designers, a dream that seemed impossible amidst the realities of life in Mumbai.

A turning point in Maleesha Kharwa's life came in 2020, when she was discovered by Hollywood actor and dancer Robert Hoffman.

Hoffman, who was filming a music video in Mumbai at the time, was impressed by Maleesha's potential and charisma.

This chance encounter opened the door for Maleesha to a world she had only dreamed of.Robert Hoffman not only discovered Maleesha but also provided crucial early support.

He helped create an Instagram account for Maleesha and started a GoFundMe campaign.

The goal was to support Maleesha's education and realize her dream of modeling, which gave Maleesha a platform to greater exposure.

Furthermore, Maleesha also had the opportunity to appear in a short film titled "Live Your Fairytale."

Maleesha Kharwa's modeling career began to take off in April 2023.

She was chosen as the face of the "Yuvati Collection" campaign for the Indian luxury beauty brand, Forest Essentials.

This campaign was not just about beauty products, but also a social initiative aimed at empowering young minds and celebrating young Indian women, in line with Maleesha's inspiring story.

Since then, Maleesha has graced the covers of world-class fashion magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan India, Grazia, and Elle.

Maleesha's unique story and strong background offer a fresh perspective on beauty standards while her influence also extends to social media.

By March 2025, she had amassed over 480,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shares glimpses of her personal and professional life.