Showing posts with label Reena Dutta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reena Dutta. Show all posts
"None of my wives converted": Aamir Khan shuts down ‘love jihad’ talks
9:45 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 16, 2026)
Actor Aamir Khan broke silence on his recent wedding to entrepreneur Gauri Spratt after it drew criticism from political figures. Minister of Ports Development of Maharashtra Nitesh Rane labelled the marriage “love jihad”, whereas Maulana Ibrahim Hussain, the Shahi Chief Mufti of the Muslim Personal Darul Ifta, issued a fatwa against Khan.
Responding to these allegations Khan told Rediff, “The truth is that ours is a very inclusive family. Both my sisters are married to Hindus; my daughter is also married to a Hindu. My cousin Mansoor is married to a Christian,” clarifying that neither of his ex-wives — Reena Dutta (married in 1986) and Kiran Rao (married in 2005) — nor Gauri converted to Islam, because all three marriages were civil.
As per the fatwa, Ifta stated that a Muslim man cannot marry a non-Muslim woman under Sharia law unless she converts to Islam, calling the marriage “impermissible”. “Gauri is not even Hindu, she is Christian, and not even a practicing Christian at that. Life is getting more comical as time passes,” Khan added.
The couple had a private wedding at his Mumbai residence on July 5, registered under the Special Marriage Act. It was attended by around 150 guests, including his children Junaid Khan, Ira Khan and Azad Rao Khan, as well as Gauri’s son Quinn.
Aamir Khan, Gauri Spratt kept their wedding intimate with just 100-150 guests
9:36 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 6, 2026)
On one of Mumbai’s rainiest days, Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt wrote a new romantic song as they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at his Pali Hill home on Sunday (July 5).
Staying true to his promise of a “gharelu shaadi”, Aamir kept the celebrations away from Bollywood’s trademark extravagance. “Around 100 to 150 guests, comprising immediate family, childhood friends, and a handful of industry colleagues, attended the ceremony, which was solemnised under the Special Marriage Act before a private lunch. The signing was done by 12 pm,” a source told mid-day.
Among those in attendance were filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, politician Raj Thackeray, cricketer Zaheer Khan, and actor Rhea Chakraborty. Khan’s children — Junaid, Ira, and Azad — and Gauri’s son, Quin, were also present.
The official photograph was released by the family on social media. In one of the videos on Instagram, Khan was seen singing and dancing with his family. “The couple had hoped for a low-key vibe. The home was tastefully decorated, lit by fairy lights, and adorned in elegant white décor,” the source added. Despite heavy showers causing traffic snarls in Bandra, the festivities went ahead as planned.
Rains briefly halt Ambani convoy
Heavy rain led to a tree collapsing near Aamir Khan’s Pali Hill residence, briefly halting Mukesh Ambani’s convoy and delaying vehicles headed to the wedding venue. The obstruction was cleared soon after, allowing guests to reach the ceremony as the celebrations continued uninterrupted
Third time lucky
Aamir first married Reena Dutta in 1986. The couple divorced in 2002. He married Kiran Rao in 2005. They announced their separation in 2021
Aamir Khan, Gauri Spratt to marry on July 5
11:21 PM
Wedding bells are ringing for actor Aamir Khan and his partner Gauri Spratt. On Wednesday, social media was abuzz with reports that the couple are set to tie the knot, with July 5 being widely cited as the big day.
According to the several reports, Aamir and Gauri are planning an intimate ceremony with close family and friends and are likely to opt for a simple signing ceremony rather than a star-studded Bollywood reception. The reported wedding comes over a year after Aamir introduced Gauri to the media on his 60th birthday and confirmed their relationship.
“Aamir and Gauri have been living together as a family for a little over a year now. They have built a happy, stable life together and decided to mark it formally with their families present,” a source told Hauterrfly.
Aamir, 61, was previously married to Reena Dutta, 57, with whom he shares son Junaid, 32, and daughter Ira, 29. He later married filmmaker Kiran Rao, 52, in 2005. Despite their separation in 2021, Aamir and Kiran continue to co-parent their son Azad, 14. Gauri, 47, is also a mother to a seven-year-old son from a previous marriage.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 5, 2026)
A day after rumours of an upcoming wedding began circulating, actor-producer Aamir Khan confirmed that he will marry partner Gauri Spratt next month.
“The news about the marriage is true. It’s on July 5,” Aamir told Variety.
Earlier, the actor had said that marriage was not something the couple actively thought about. Explaining the change, he said, “Yes, that is true. But now we both feel we are ready to take our relationship to the next level. I am at peace. Gauri and I are serious about each other and we are in a very committed space. We are partners, we are together. In my heart, I’m already married to her. So, to formalize our togetherness just seems like a natural progression of our partnership.”
Aamir publicly introduced Gauri as his partner for the first time during his 60th birthday celebrations in Mumbai on March 14 last year. At the time, the actor had said he was “already married” to her in his heart and that they were enjoying each other’s company. Since then, the couple has made several public appearances together. Gauri is from Bengaluru and works in the wellness and beauty sector.
Aamir, 61, was previously married to Reena Dutta for 16 years, with whom he has two children, Junaid, 32, and Ira, 29. He was later married to filmmaker Kiran Rao for 16 years, and they share a son, Azad, 14. Gauri, 47, also has a seven-year-old son from a previous marriage.
How Ira Khan rounded up her clan for Mumbai Marathon
9:14 AM
Anil Dias (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 14, 2026)
For years, the Khans have been a familiar sight at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, but always on the sidelines. Aamir Khan, with family and friends, would turn up before sunrise with posters, drinks, and loud encouragement for runners he knew and many he didn’t.
This year promises to change that. That’s thanks to Ira Khan, who didn’t just sign up as a fundraiser but also assembled one of the city’s most unexpected running crews: Her mother Reena Dutta, father Aamir, father’s ex-wife Kiran Rao, and Ira’s husband, Nupur Shikhare. They may be running in different categories, but there’s one undeniable thread tying them together, and that’s Ira’s refusal to let anyone off the hook.
The way she tells it, this wasn’t the result of any dramatic speech or emotional pitch. It began, instead, with what she calls being “bullied into it” by her husband, a long-time TMM participant.
“He kept telling me: ‘You have to walk the walk. You can’t keep standing on the sidelines,’” she said at the press conference. Ira, who loves football but admits to “dreading running long distances”, responded as most reluctant runners would, by flatly refusing.
“I told him, ‘I cannot do this run.’ He said, ‘Of course you can. You can do the Dream Run. Look at the categories and pick one.’”
Around the same time, the Agatsu Foundation, her two-and-a-half-year-old mental health community centre, signed up for TMM’s philanthropy programme. So did the Paani Foundation, run by her parents and Kiran Rao. Suddenly, the idea of showing up “only on Instagram” felt insufficient. “It felt like the right thing to do,” Ira said. “But also a very scary thing to do.”
One late-night Google search led her to the ‘Home Run Squad’ initiative, a category celebrating families that run together. “I thought, this is perfect,” she said. “Now I just had to convince my family.”
There was, by her admission, “a lot of cribbing” and a fair amount of confusion. The family group was flooded with questions like: “What happens if I don’t finish?” and the more existential, “What happens when I do finish?” Ira sidestepped all of it, sensing she was close to converting the sceptics. But once everyone tentatively agreed, she realised the danger wasn’t opposition, it was someone backtracking. That’s when she deployed what she now calls her “masterstroke”: Going public.
Before anyone could reconsider, Ira announced on social media that the entire family had officially joined the Home Run Squad. “I publicly announced it so no one could back out,” she said, half amused, half proud.
To cement the commitment, she created a WhatsApp group and added everyone. “It’s been very interesting to see all of us try to wake up at 7 am,” she laughed. “We’re all suffering together.”
Beyond humour and bonding, the marathon is serious business for Ira. Agatsu, which she set up after her own struggle with clinical depression, now sees nearly 1,200 people a month. The centre offers low-cost therapy, peer-support groups, movement classes, senior citizen hours, and, most importantly, a safe space where people can simply be.
“Mental health is hard to fundraise for because it’s not tangible. You can’t say you built 10 classrooms or vaccinated 200 children,” she said. “People don’t oppose donating; they often just don’t respond.”
As a first-time fundraiser, she’s now witnessed how much persistence and patience it takes. “A lot of people think I don’t need money because I come from a certain family, but Agatsu doesn’t run on assumptions.”
I was strongly opposed to marriage counselling-Aamir Khan
9:13 AM
Aamir Khan reveals his initial resistance to therapy and how his perspective on counselling shifted during his separation from Reena Dutta
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 28, 2025)
Aamir Khan recently opened up about his initial hesitation towards marriage counselling during his split from (first wife) Reena Dutta. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Aamir shared how, at the time, he wasn’t comfortable discussing his personal life with a stranger.
He recalled, “When Reena and I were separating, we went to a marriage counsellor for about a year and a half. That was my first experience with counselling.”
Aamir admitted, “I was strongly opposed to it. I told Reena, ‘I can’t share my feelings with a stranger. How can I open up about my relationship with someone I don’t know?’”
It was Reena who eventually persuaded him to give it a try, and the experience changed his perspective on therapy.
Aamir and Reena, married in 1986, have two children, Junaid and Ira. They divorced in 2002. Aamir later married Kiran Rao in 2005, but they separated in 2021 after 15 years together. They share a son, Azad, born via surrogacy. Aamir also recently introduced his girlfriend, Gauri Spratt, at his pre-birthday celebration.
I am 59 now, mushkil lag raha hai, says Aamir Khan on marrying again
3:33 PM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 27, 2024)
Aamir Khan has had two “unsuccessful marriages,” but he isn’t averse to the idea of relationships. In a recent episode of Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, the actor opened up about marriage and companionship and said, “I have had two unsuccessful marriages, so don’t ask for marriage advice from me. I don’t like living alone, I need a partner. I am not a loner, I like companionship. I am very close to both my ex-wives Reena and Kiran, we are like one family.”
When asked if he plans to get married for the third time, the actor said, “I am 59 now, ab kahan shaadi karunga, mushkil lag raha hai mujhe... I am very happy just being with people who are close to me. I am working towards being a better person.”
Aamir Khan told me, “I am retiring, why don’t you take over.” So, that’s the phase when I stepped in-Junaid Khan
7:26 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; August 3, 2024)
Junaid Khan made a fine debut with the historical drama Maharaj, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra recently. There was no massive marketing campaign or a tizzy on social media around the launch of superstar Aamir Khan’s son. He quietly and gracefully made an entry, made a mark and left everyone curious about him. On a rainy Sunday morning, he hopped out of a rickshaw and rushed in for an interview with us (minus the entourage and all that jazz).
Refreshing! Between laughs and a few words, our conversation unfolded. He listened more, spoke less and let his charm do the rest. Curious? Read on...
Congrats on an impressive debut with Maharaj! Many people thought it was an unconventional debut. What are your thoughts? Is this the kind of debut you had envisioned for yourself?
I think the story is highly dramatic and that it is a fairly mainstream film. I don’t think it is a niche film at all. I guess different people find different things unconventional. About my debut, I actually didn’t put much thought into it. I have been doing theatre in Mumbai since 2017 and whenever I was called for a reading or an audition, I would go for it. So, I never had any grand plan for my debut film.
Did you hope for your debut film to be a big screen release? Does the medium or format matter to you?
I don’t think it does. What is important to me is that people watch my film, where they watch it is not relevant. In an ideal world, I would say put it up for free on YouTube, but obviously, no one will do that (laughs).
The film is set in a different era, you had a distinct look and a certain dialect, too. How long did it take you to get into the skin of the character?
We spent a year prepping for it. The language in the film is heightened, and there is a slight Gujarati dialect. We worked on that as well to understand how much Gujarati we should include in the dialogues. We also did a lot of look tests and dance rehearsals.
You confessed that you aren’t a good dancer. Are you honing your dancing skills?
Yes, I am not a very good dancer. But at the end of the day, everything is practice, so I will get there (laughs).
Did your experience as a theatre actor prepare you for the big screen?
The craft is the same. However, I didn’t do theatre to prepare for the big screen. There are technical differences in both, but what’s similar is that the more you do it, the better you get. You have to be thorough with what you are doing – whether it is theatre or films. You don’t have the luxury to be unprepared in any medium. That luxury doesn’t exist. Today, no director or producer will appreciate it if an actor comes unprepared.
Was there a certain point in your life when you decided you wanted to be in the movies?
I don’t think there was a point as such when I decided that. I was doing what was coming my way. I had tested for a bunch of roles, like I had auditioned for Laal Singh Chaddha. When I tested for it, the film was in the initial stages, it hadn’t even been budgeted. They were trying to figure out what to do with it, I guess that was one of the reasons it didn’t work.
Maharaj was waiting in the wings for three years to be released. Did you get impatient and restless during that waiting period and have to deal with a lot of questions around its release?
I don’t think I was asked much about what was going on with the film, because I don’t think anyone even knew this film was being made. It wasn’t announced by the producers, and I think it was announced only sometime last September. So, I didn’t feel any pressure during that time, and I trusted that the producers would do what’s best for the film.
All this time, you have been really low-key. Like even your director Siddharth P Malhotra, in an interview, said that many didn’t know you were Aamir Khan’s son. Even now, it’s not like you are spotted much by the paps, nor are you on social media. Was it part of a plan to not overexpose yourself in the media before your launch?
I don’t think there was a plan per se. Most people still don’t know me. I have just been this way (laughs). Long ago, I had a Facebook account, but that was a different time on social media. I haven’t been drawn to Instagram and I don’t think social media is my thing.
You come from a culturally diverse family with creative people who have diverse views and opinions. Has your upbringing shaped your personality and thoughts on life, movies, et al?
I think it definitely has. I think our upbringing and families shape our lives quite profoundly. I have a very supportive and diverse family, and we encourage debate and disagreements. I am thankful for the family that I have.
Did your father’s work have an impact on you and your film choices?
I don’t think so. He’s done some fantastic work and he’s done some work that’s perhaps not all that good also. Everything can’t be the best work ever, as filmmaking is not a science. So, what I have learnt is that you have to take the learnings and move forward.
What was your parents’ (Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta) reaction when they learnt about your debut film? During the release, were they anxious?
Not really (laughs). They weren’t anxious, they were happy for me. They are not anxious people generally, as they have been through all of it and more (being part of the industry for so long). The fact that they weren’t anxious also helped me with everything that was going on with the film. They both liked it. Dad liked it quite a lot He tends to be an easy audience, as he goes in to watch something wanting to enjoy it. My mom is a tougher audience to please.
Did he ever drop in on the set of your film?
He was never on our set. He only came on the first day of the shoot with my three grandparents and then he directly watched the film.
You got a lot of love for your first film, but a huge part of being an actor is about being able to deal with criticism that comes your way, which isn’t always easy. How did you deal with it?
As an actor, you are always learning and growing. Film is an art form, and it encourages diverse opinions. Not everyone will like everything. I know there are a lot of people who didn’t like Maharaj as much as we would have liked them to, but that’s fine. You learn from the good and bad and grow.
Generally, actors step into production much later in their careers. You have already taken on the role of a producer with Pritam Pyaare. What prompted you to do that?
Yes, I have. I have been on film sets and behind the camera on the set of PK. I have assisted in ad shoots as well. After we completed the shoot for Maharaj, there was a film we were working on at AKP (Aamir Khan Productions). At that point, Kiran (Rao) was making Laapataa Ladies and dad was going through this whole ‘I-am-retiring phase’, and he even spoke about that (smiles). He told me, “I am retiring, why don’t you take over.” So, that’s the phase when I stepped in. I think I have a decent understanding of production. It’s probably one of the toughest jobs in filmmaking.
Have you warmed up to the idea of media attention, interviews and the fandom that will follow?
It is definitely a new world, and I am getting used to it.
Aamir Khan, Reena Dutta to host party to celebrate Junaid’s Bollywood debut with Maharaj
8:26 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 27, 2024)
There are star kid launches, and then there is Junaid Khan’s quiet Bollywood debut with Maharaj. In a way, it reminded us of his superstar-dad Aamir Khan, who usually likes to keep a low profile. But now, the proud father wants to celebrate the first milestone of Junaid’s career. We hear Aamir and his ex-wife Reena Dutta will throw a bash to celebrate his entry in the industry.
The party will be held on July 30 at the Aamir Khan Productions’ office in Bandra. A source reveals, “The bash will be attended by Junaid’s friends, and the cast and crew of his next few movies. He has already started shooting for the Advait Chandan-helmed romantic comedy with Khushi Kapoor, and Pritam Pyaare. He is expected to wrap up the rom-com soon.”
A guest, invited to the do, tells us that Aamir and Reena are proud that Junaid didn’t seek his actor-dad’s help to make inroads into the industry.
“He was certain that he wanted to debut on his own merit. Reena and Aamir let him forge his own path. Today, they want to share their happiness with their near and dear ones.”
Papa (Aamir Khan) really liked Maharaj, but he is an easy audience-Junaid Khan
8:33 AM
Making an unusually quiet star kid debut with Maharaj, Junaid on choosing a gritty subject instead of rom-com and how actor-dad Aamir is a softer critic than mom Reena
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 6, 2024)
Before a star kid is launched in Bollywood, you will see him/her everywhere—at promotional events, on your TV screens and billboards across the city. In refreshing contrast, Junaid Khan made one of the quietest acting debuts in recent times with Maharaj. When most newbies are launched with rom-coms or action dramas, his choice of maiden film was equally unconventional. Director Siddharth P Malhotra’s movie offered a retelling of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case.
“Maharaj is a sensitive story, and I trusted Siddharth sir and YRF to tell the story in a sensitive way. They felt I suited this role. I guess they didn’t see me in a rom-com or an action drama. Adi [Aditya Chopra, YRF head honcho] sir called me after he saw a screen test I had done for another film [and cast me]. He has clarity of vision. After watching Maharaj, he told me that he really liked it,” he says.
Although the Netflix movie has received mixed reviews, Junaid has been largely praised for his restrained performance. The actor, however, knows his strengths and weaknesses.
He candidly admits, “I’m a terrible dancer. So, shooting the Holi song was challenging. The [confrontation] scene in the rain with Jaideep [Ahlawat] sir was shot in difficult conditions, and I wasn’t prepared for that.”
The audience’s verdict regarding Maharaj is out, but we’re more interested in the verdict at home. What were his superstar-father Aamir Khan and mother Reena Dutta’s reactions? “Papa really liked the film, but he is an easy audience. Mama liked it more, and she is definitely a tough audience.”
It’s interesting to note that Aamir, one of the biggest Bollywood stars and with a successful production house to boot, did not launch his son. “Neither of us look at films that way,” says Junaid, who believes he put in the work—from studying acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, to honing his craft in theatre, and serving as an assistant director on PK (2014) and short film To Remember Me By (2019)—before facing the camera. As a star kid, he is aware of his privileges. That fuels him to forge his own path in the movies.
“I have a supportive family and a parent who has been through all of this before. I have access to a tremendous knowledge base of professionals within the family as well as colleagues from the industry. I have had the opportunity to spend three years studying the craft.” He also has the best in the business guiding him.
Did Aamir give him any acting tips? “Papa doesn’t give advice or tips unless asked for. If you go to him with a specific query, he is incredibly helpful. There is a lot to learn from him.”
Ira Khan, Nupur Shikhare gear up for their big day; to have a haldi ceremony, mehendi function on January 2
8:26 AM
Ahead of Ira Khan tying the knot with Nupur tomorrow, couple to have a haldi ceremony and an intimate mehendi function today; Mumbai reception lined up for January 11
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 2, 2024)
The Khan household is bustling with excitement as Ira Khan, daughter of Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta, is set to tie the knot with fiancé Nupur Shikhare in a traditional Maharashtrian-style wedding tomorrow. The pre-wedding ceremonies are on in full swing at the Bandra address. Today, the day will begin with a haldi ceremony being performed separately at the homes of the bride and groom. We hear an intimate mehendi function has been planned for the evening.
A source says, “The mehendi function will double up as a low-key sangeet ceremony, complete with music and dance. On January 3, the wedding will take place at Taj Lands End in Bandra, where it will begin with the ‘Antarpat’ ceremony. It involves a silk cloth being held between the bride and groom to keep them from seeing each other until the appropriate time. Before the wedding ceremony, a Ganpati puja will also be performed. As part of the rituals, there will be a special sankalp ceremony, where the bride and groom will read their vows.”
From January 4, the couple have lined up some personal parties, after which they will head out for a short holiday. They will, however, be back in time for their glitzy reception on January 11.
The source adds, “Aamir, Reena and the family were earlier planning to have the reception in Jaipur or Delhi [Beginning 2024 with a bang, Dec 30]. But now, they intend to host it in Mumbai. The guest list is star-studded, with over 1,000 people expected to attend—from Aamir’s B-Town friends to important dignitaries.”
I spent 20 years thinking you have to be sad for people to love you-Ira Khan
9:15 AM
Aamir Khan’s daughter talks about her mental health and opening a wellness centre for mental wellbeing
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; August 8, 2023)
We have been taught that if you brush your teeth, you won’t get cavities, but nobody taught us what we should do to keep our minds healthy,” points out Ira Khan, as she gives us a tour of her community centre located at a quaint bungalow in Bandra. The 25-year-old, who is Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta’s daughter, talks to us about her personal battle with mental health and how she wants to champion this cause for the rest of her life.
‘I turned out to be a depressed person’
Sharing how it all began she says, “While growing up, my mind decided that to be loved, I need to be a slightly broken person. I made this perception by watching a lot of movies. I remember being as young as 8 or 10 years old and telling myself to fake a smile to repress my feelings, so that I grew up being slightly broken, because I believed that only then people will love me. So, I systematically made sure that I turned out to be a depressed person.”
‘Depression is partly genetic in my case’
Ira has a history of battling mental health issues and has been vocal about it. She has been undergoing treatment for cyclic depression, “Depression is a little complicated. It is partly genetic, partly psychological, and social. In my case, it is partly genetic. There is a history of mental health issues in my family on my mom and dad’s side,” says Ira.
‘I blame myself for my depression’
“My therapist said that one of the trigger points was my parents, who handled their divorce as well as they could at that point. It was amicable. I am not blaming them, but what they didn’t realise is that because they made it seem like divorce was not a big deal, there was a perception my mind created of the situation. We create perceptions and we don’t necessarily communicate to people about those. So, I blame myself for my depression. I spent 20 years thinking that you have to be sad for people to love you. But now how do I go back? I want to be happy! So now, I have to systematically undo everything that I have done,” says Ira.
‘I’ve made a chat group with my parents and Kiran aunty; I reach out to them for help’
Talking about her support system, Ira says, “I reach out to both my parents for help. I also turn to Kiran (Rao) aunty. In fact, I have made a phone chat group with all three of them. And when it comes to Popeye (fiancé Nupur Shikhare), he has the emotional bandwidth to spend time with me. Being there for someone takes time and energy. It takes a certain level of commitment. So, I feel very lucky to have someone like him in my life, who wanted to invest in trying to understand what I was going through.”
‘I want to focus on my foundation for the rest of my life’
Before she turned her focus to her foundation Agatsu that helps people battling mental health issues, Ira had a tryst with showbiz. She was an AD on Sonakshi Sinha-starrer web show Dahaad. But she’s not interested in pursuing a career in the movies. “Agatsu (which means self-victory) is my full-time job. At the centre, we have a neuroscience workshop, mental health hour, youth peer meet, dance classes, games evening & other activities spread across the week for people to de-stress and engage in. I am not doing anything else, but this for the rest of my life. I truly appreciate storytelling through films, but there are a lot of other people who can do that, I don’t have to do it!”
She adds, "Why should one wait till he/she absolutely cannot bear it (mental stress) any more and then ask for help? Why can’t one just fix it when it is even a little bit problematic? Self-awareness, communication, resilience is important, and if everything else fails where you can’t take therapy, or you can’t take medication, then human connections work."
‘We know that we want to get married on January 3’
Ira got engaged to her trainer of many years, Nupur Shikhare (who she lovingly calls Popeye) last November. Talking about their marriage plans, she says, “We know that we want to get married on January 3, but which year... we haven’t decided on that (laughs!). January 3 is very special for us as that’s the date when we first kissed.”
Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao announce their decision to get divorced
8:03 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (July 4, 2021)
In a joint statement, they revealed that they planned the separation a while ago and are now formalising it. Aamir and Kiran added that they’ll remain co-parents and collaborators
Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao on Saturday announced their decision to get divorced after 15 years of marriage, saying they were ready to start a new chapter as “co-parents and family for each other”.
Khan, 56, and Rao, 47, first met on the sets of the actor’s 2001 blockbuster movie Lagaan and got married in December 2005. They welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan in December 2011.
“In these 15 beautiful years together we have shared a lifetime of experiences, joy and laughter, and our relationship has only grown in trust, respect and love. Now we would like to begin a new chapter in our lives – no longer as husband and wife, but as co-parents and family for each other. We began a planned separation some time ago, and now feel comfortable to formalise this arrangement, of living separately yet sharing our lives the way an extended family does,” the joint statement read. Khan and Rao said they will “remain devoted parents to our son Azad, who we will nurture and raise together. We will also continue to work as collaborators on films, Paani Foundation, and other projects that we feel passionate about.”
“A big thank you to our families and friends for their constant support and understanding about this evolution in our relationship, and without whom we would not have been so secure in taking this leap.
We request our well wishers for good wishes and blessings, and hope that – like us – you will see this divorce not as an end, but as the start of a new journey,” they concluded.
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AAMIR WAS EARLIER MARRIED TO REENA DUTTA FOR 16 YEARS
Aamir was earlier married to Reena Dutta, from 1986 to 2002. They were neighbours and fell in love at a very young age. Aamir was 21 when they got married. Reena also had a cameo in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Aamir’s first lead role.
About their relationship, Aamir earlier said, “Reena and I were married for 16 long years. When we split up, it was traumatic for us and our families. But we did not lose love or respect for each other post our split.” They have two kids – Junaid and Ira.
Aamir had earlier shared that Reena had helped him produce Lagaan (2001), learning the process from scratch.
The sets of Lagaan is also where Aamir first met Kiran, who was an assistant director in the film. “But at that time, we didn’t have any relationship, we were not even great friends. She was one of the people on the unit,” Aamir had said, “It was (some time) after my separation and divorce that I met her again. In that moment of trauma, her phone came and I talked to her on the phone for half an hour. And when I put the phone down, it struck me that when I am talking to her I am so happy.”
Pointing out the similarity between Kiran and Reena, Aamir had said, “I like strong women. My first wife Reena, my second wife Kiran. So I like people who are strong.”
Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra advised not to shoot Lagaan in single schedule-Aamir Khan
8:33 AM
From not paying heed to peers’ advice to taking Lagaan to Oscars, producer-actor Aamir Khan discusses it all as his masterpiece completes 20 years
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 15, 2021)
In theory, 'Lagaan' (2001) is the classic underdog story. But on screen, it transformed into a masterpiece, becoming so much more than the David-versus-Goliath premise. Steeped in India’s history, the movie spoke of the oppression meted out to Indians during the British Raj, while questioning our country’s social evils of casteism and untouchability. It’s hardly surprising that the gem came from one of Hindi cinema’s brightest minds, Aamir Khan. Such was his faith in director Ashutosh Gowariker’s material that the actor turned producer with the magnum opus, mounting it on a budget unheard of in the early 2000s.
As the film completes 20 years today, Khan remembers Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar had advised him before he took the project on floors in Gujarat. “Karan and Adi were concerned for me. They said, ‘We heard you are planning it as a single-schedule shoot and [will employ] sync sound.’ They advised me against both ideas, stating that no one has used sync sound for years. But I went ahead [with my instinct]. The experiment was so successful that since then, I have only done sync sounds and all my projects have been filmed over one long schedule. It made me realise that I was thinking in the right direction,” says the superstar.
In the two decades since its release, Lagaan has earned a place among the finest films of Indian cinema. The actor believes that the lion’s share of the credit goes to former wife Reena Dutta. “The one thing that has remained with me is the way Reena handled the film. I told her one night that I would need her help in producing the film. She said, ‘I don’t know anything about filmmaking. How will I help you?’ But then, she went on to meet producers to understand [what the job entails], cracked it and produced Lagaan as if she was a veteran. Till date, I wonder how a person, belonging to another field, came and took complete control over the project.”
The sports drama became the third Indian film to be nominated at the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Feature Film, at the 74th Academy Awards. “I was disappointed that we lost. A lot of people then asked me what I could’ve done differently so that Lagaan could have won at the Oscars. But they fail to appreciate that the members in the foreign language committee loved our film, which is why it was among the top five nominees. That means nothing was wrong with our film.”
When I was 14, I was sexually harassed-Ira Khan
8:15 AM
In a video that she posted, Aamir Khan’s daughter also spoke about her battle with mental health issues and the strong support system she has in her family
BOMBAY TIMES (November 3, 2020)
Ira Khan has said that she was sexually harassed at the age of 14, in a video that she shared on social media. She spoke about it while talking about various other topics like the divorce of her parents, Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta that happened in 2002, being privileged and how it affected her mental health. She said, “When I was 14, I was sexually harassed, abused. That was slightly an odd situation in the sense that I didn’t know what that person was doing and if they knew what they were doing. It wasn’t happening every day. So, it took me a year to be sure that they knew what they are doing and that is what they are doing. And immediately, I wrote my parents an email and I got myself out of that situation. Once I was out of that situation, I didn’t feel so bad anymore. I wasn’t scared. I felt like this is not happening to me anymore and it’s over. And I moved on and I let go. Ya, from time to time I would beat myself up about how silly I was that I let it happen and all that, but it was again not something that has scarred me for life.”
Talking about the strong support system she had, she said, “My family, my parents have always been there for me. They don’t put any pressure on us. I know that if anything were to happen, I could, without any hesitation, go to my parents.”
Ira also opened up about her parent’s divorce in the video. “When I was small, my parents got divorced. But that didn’t seem like something that would traumatise me because my parents’ divorce was amicable. They are friends, the whole family is still friends. We are not a broken family by any means,” she said.
She had recently posted a video talking about battling depression. Speaking about it further, she said that she would sleep a lot, but did not realise it. She would cry all the time without any reason and even cancel all her plans with her friends.
In the post that accompanied the video, she wrote, “I never spoke to anyone about anything because I assumed that my privilege meant I should handle my stuff on my own, or if there was something bigger, it would make people need a better answer than ‘I don't know’. It made me feel like I needed a better answer and until I had that answer, my feelings weren’t something I should bother anyone else with. No problem was big enough to ponder too long about.”
Ira said, “What would anyone do? I had everything. What would anyone say? I had said it all. I still think there’s a small part of me that thinks I’m making all this up, that I have nothing to feel bad about, that I’m not trying hard enough, that maybe I’m overreacting. Old habits die hard. It takes me feeling my worst to make myself believe that it’s bad enough to take seriously. And no matter how many things I have, how nice to me people are because of my dad, how nice to me people are because they love and care about me… if I feel a certain way, a certain not nice way, then how much can rationally trying to explain these things to myself do? Shouldn’t I instead get up and try and fix things? And if I can’t do that for myself ? Shouldn’t I ask for help?”
Exes Hrithik Roshan-Sussanne Khan, Malaika Arora-Arbaaz Khan creating the blueprint for a desi modern family
8:04 AM
Working in tandem so as to not disrupt parts of their shared history, these A-list former couples are creating the blueprint for a desi modern family
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 5, 2017)
Maintaining a cordial relationship with a former significant other isn’t easy but Bollywood celebrities seem to have mastered the art of navigating the ruins of a happily ever after. Their high profile divorces were a feeding frenzy, with sordid details of the life they painstakingly built together over years making headlines and dominating living room conversations. But in its aftermath, these couples appear so in-sync together, packing in family vacations, celebrating festivals with extended families and even working together, that it seems entirely implausible that they weren’t meant to be.
Not on my watch
On Sunday, in a show of unmistakable solidarity with her actor ex-husband Hrithik Roshan, Sussanne Khan shared a picture of them together from what looks like the inside of an aircraft. The 38-year-old entrepreneur, whose divorce with her partner of 17 years came through in November 2014, captioned it, “There is no allegation or sad plot that can have the weight to triumph over a good soul,” highlighting the “power of the truth”, “ma familia” and “good over evil” through hashtags. The post has been widely termed an indirect rebuttal to Hrithik’s rumoured ex Kangana Ranaut recently speaking extensively about their alleged relationship and the ensuing legal battle. This isn’t the first time when Sussanne has made it clear that she has her ex-husband’s back. Last April, the mum-of-two condemned the leak of Hrithik’s and Kangana’s intimate pictures. “Pictures are photoshopped and untrue stories carry too much weight. I support Hrithik in this.” Hrithik and Sussanne have maintained an amicable equation for the last three years even though rumours during their separation were rife that infidelity on Hrithik’s part was the cause for the split. One of the many names bandied about were Kangana’s.
Since the widely publicised episode, the exes, along with sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan, have taken multiple vacations with both their families and close friends. This summer, the couple stayed in New York and partied with besties Karan Johar, Sonali Bendre and Gayatri Joshi, on an earlier holiday in California. They had rung in the New Year in Dubai. In January, Sussanne played hostess at the screening of Hrithik’s Kaabil, also showing up at the success bash. “Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind... so so so proud of you,” she shared later.
Families that eat together…
Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan announced their separation in March last year but the former had moved out of their marital home in Bandra with son Arhaan long before that. They had taken to each other instantly during an ad shoot in the ’90s, and tied the knot in 1998. Their divorce came through in July this year but that was hardly a blip on their family time as they attended birthdays and festivals together. “Arbaaz and Amrita (Amrita Arora Ladak, Malaika’s sister) are best friends and they recently celebrated Arbaaz’s 50th. From Sunday brunches to Onam feasts by Malaika’s mom, Joyce Polycarp-Arora, Malaika and Arbaaz are always there for each other and for the love of food,” a source said. This summer, the exes, with the khandaan, also went on two vacations to Maldives and Spain, with Malaika exclaiming, “Happiness always, Arbooz (sic)”.
Friends for life
Aamir Khan, whose divorce with first wife Reena Dutta came through in 2002, tied the knot with Kiran Rao in 2005. Reena got custody of their two children, Junaid and Ira, but they are all often seen together, the highlights being the annual Eid lunches at the Khan residence, movie screenings, success parties and Reena featuring in all family pictures at AK’s nephew Imran Khan’s 2011 nuptials. More recently, at a special screening of Aamir’s last release Dangal, Reena and the kids sat next to Kiran and her son Azad and Aamir’s mother Zeenat. They were also at the film’s success bash a month later. On August 22, the extended family came together once again to celebrate Junaid’s acting debut in a play at NCPA.
Meanwhile, at a private bash celebrating the release of one of his most feted co-productions, Masaan, Anurag Kashyap partied the night away with actress ex-wife Kalki Koechlin. At another bash in August 2015, Kalki had caught up with her ex-husband’s current ladylove, Shubhra Shetty, and his daughter Aaliyah. She shares a close relationship with both of them. The trio reportedly hang out at the filmmaker’s Versova residence quite often.
Work-life balance
Two weeks after announcing their split with a joint statement in
January last year, Farhan Akhtar was spotted exiting celebrity hair
stylist ex-wife Adhuna Babhani’s Bandra studio. He was getting styled
for the second schedule of Rock On 2. For the exes, who’d been together
for 19 years, and their daughters, Shakya and Akira, it was business as
usual. Adhuna had met Farhan on the sets of his directorial debut, Dil
Chahta Hai, which was her first hairstyling gig for a film. She went on
to work on all Farhan films. They reunited on August 25 for close friend
and business partner Ritesh Sidhwani’s 44th birthday bash. Farhan drove
in solo while Adhuna had turned up with younger daughter Akira. Inside,
they were one big happy family. Ritesh’s birthday coincides with
Farhan’s mother Honey Irani’s and Adhuna had marked the day by taking
her out for lunch earlier that day. “Happy birthday to this amazing
woman! I could not have asked the universe for a better friend,” Adhuna
had shared with an image of the two arriving at Priety Zinta and Gene
Goodenough’s wedding reception in 2016. It is no secret that Honey dotes
on her former daughter- in-law.On Mothers’ Day this year, Farhan shared a picture of Adhuna with their girls. “Happy Mother’s Day, Adhuna. Our girls are blessed to have you as their mom. Big hug,” he had shared. Adhuna thanked him with heart emojis. Stuff of alternative happy endings, this.
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