Maleesha Kharwa, the Princess from the Slum, Becomes the Face of Forest Essentials’ Empowering Campaign

Forest Essentials collaborates with Maleesha Kharwa to inspire underprivileged children through education and make dreams a reality.

Mumbai’s Dharavi, often referred to as one of Asia’s largest slums, has given rise to a remarkable young talent whose journey from adversity to success is captivating hearts worldwide. Meet Maleesha Kharwa, a 15-year-old aspiring supermodel who has become the face of Forest Essentials, a prestigious luxury skincare brand. Maleesha’s inspiring story not only marks a personal triumph but also carries a greater purpose, as Forest Essentials aims to empower underprivileged children by providing them with education and helping them realize their dreams.

Forest Essentials proudly introduced Maleesha as their new ‘Yuvati’ in March of this year. The collaboration aims to create awareness and support for underprivileged children, facilitating their transformation into confident individuals who can pursue their dreams. Through their initiative, Forest Essentials seeks to break societal norms and provide equal opportunities to those who may have otherwise been overlooked.

In a heartening video shared by Forest Essentials, Maleesha is seen visiting a store displaying her campaign photos. Her genuine and joyful expressions as she sees her dreams materialize strike a chord with viewers. The viral video, captioned “Her face lit up with pure delight. To see her dreams in front of her in sight. Maleesha’s story is a beautiful reminder that dreams really do come true,” has garnered over 6.2 million views since its release on April 4.

The video’s comments section flooded with heartfelt reactions from viewers who expressed admiration for Maleesha and appreciation for Forest Essentials’ initiative. One Instagram user posted, “Finally, a person whose face is recognizable! This is how we want to look when we use skin products, taking care of our skin, looking good & attractive! Also, look at her original hair! The skin tone. Omg! She’s even beautiful with that genuine blush!!” Another comment praised Forest Essentials for breaking the status quo and giving Maleesha the opportunity to shine. A third commenter suggested that the brand take up Maleesha’s dreams as their own and support her in reaching new heights.

Maleesha’s journey towards achieving her dreams has attracted attention from various corners. In 2020, Hollywood actor Robert Hoffman met Maleesha and set up a GoFundMe page to support her aspirations. The page shed light on the challenges she faced, including a lack of food, water, and proper shelter during the monsoon season.

Maleesha’s rise to prominence has been met with admiration and respect. She now has over 230,000 Instagram followers, with whom she regularly shares glimpses of her life. Maleesha’s posts are often accompanied by the hashtag #theprincessfromtheslum, a testament to her remarkable journey and the resilience she embodies.

Beyond her modeling aspirations, Maleesha has showcased her talents in acting and dancing. During an interview conducted by Forest Essentials, she revealed that her inspiration is none other than Priyanka Chopra, a renowned Indian actress and global icon. Maleesha also expressed her admiration for Nora Fatehi’s dancing skills and showcased her own go-to dance move while singing her favorite song.

Maleesha’s creativity and skills as a content creator on Instagram have further propelled her towards success. She has even secured two Hollywood movie offers, solidifying her position as a rising star in the fashion and entertainment industry. Maleesha’s story is an embodiment of resilience, determination, and the power of dreams.