Teen Girl from Dharavi Slum Becomes Face of Luxury Brand’s New Campaign
In April, Forest Essentials shared a wholesome video on Instagram that showed Maleesha Kharwa entering their store which had her campaign photos.
Maleesha Kharwa, a 14-year-old girl from the famous slum of Mumbai ‘Dharavi’ is creating headlines.
She has become the face of a luxury brand Forest Essentials’ new campaign ‘The Yuvati Collection.’
The young teenager was first discovered by Hollywood actor Robert Hoffman who set up a GoFundMe page for her.
As destiny would have it she began receiving various modelling assignments and even acted in a short film named ‘Live Your Fairytale’ created by Arsala Qureishi and Jas Sagu.
The movie is about the experience of five children from the slum who dine in a restaurant for the very first time in their life.
The Yuvati campaign aims to empower young minds. In an interview with Vogue India the founder and Chief Managing Director of Forest Essentials said, “Through our Yuvati collection, we are not only supporting Maleesha's dreams but also contributing to Project Paathshala to empower young minds.” “While Maleesha is the face of this campaign, what Forest Essentials is bringing to the forefront is the idea of dreams. The undercurrent here is that no matter where you come from, how big or small your dream is, dreams are for everyone, and all dreams matter,” she added. In April, Forest Essentials shared an Instagram video that shows the teen model entering their store which had her campaign photos. “Her face lit up with pure delight, To see her dreams in front of her insight. Maleesha’s story is a beautiful reminder that dreams really do come true. #BecauseYourDreamsMatter”, read the caption of the video.
Meanwhile Maleesha already has two Hollywood projects in her kitty. She calls the Forest Essentials’ ‘Yuvati campaign’ her “biggest job till date.” She is also thankful to the makers of the short film. She admitted that Arsala and Jas did a lot for her, her family and her friends. “My life has changed and it's a dream come true for me. I would like to thank both my didis for this," Maleesha admitted.
‘The Princess of Slums’ as she is popularly known, has over 225,000 followers on Instagram.
Maleesha dreams of becoming a supermodel however she gives priority to her education first.
Kudos to Forest Essentials for giving a platform to the young star from Dharavi. May all her dreams come true in the years to come?