Aamir Khan’s Agony: The Unseen Battle After His First Divorce
The love story of Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta, once whispered through the lanes of Mumbai, felt like a scene plucked straight from a classic Bollywood romance. From stolen glances across windows to Aamir’s persistent courtship – even a dramatic, albeit ill-advised, letter written in his own blood – their journey culminating in a secret, intimate wedding seemed destined for a fairytale ending. Reena even made a brief, memorable appearance in his groundbreaking debut, *Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak*, solidifying their public image as an iconic couple.
For 16 years, they built a life, becoming parents to their children, Junaid Khan and Ira Khan. Their bond appeared unshakeable, especially when their joint production, the cinematic masterpiece *Lagaan*, soared to international acclaim. Yet, just a year after this triumph, in 2002, the unexpected news broke: Aamir and Reena were parting ways. What the press portrayed as an amicable separation belied a far more devastating reality for the actor.
Drowning in Despair: Aamir’s Descent into Alcoholism
The public saw a composed Aamir Khan, but behind the scenes, a profound personal crisis unfolded. The separation from Reena Dutta plunged him into a period of intense emotional turmoil. In a remarkably candid interview clip shared by The Lallantop, Aamir recently peeled back the curtain on this dark chapter, revealing a struggle with alcohol so severe it threatened to consume him entirely.
“When Reena and I separated, that evening I finished an entire bottle of alcohol,” Aamir confessed, his voice tinged with raw emotion. He continued, describing a harrowing year and a half where he “drank every day,” never truly sleeping but merely losing consciousness from the excessive consumption. “I was trying to kill myself,” he admitted, a chilling testament to the depth of his despair.
The Irony of Fame: A Period of Isolation and Reflection
During this agonizing period, Aamir became a recluse, retreating from both social interactions and his illustrious film career. He deliberately ceased taking on new projects, feeling completely disconnected from the world he once dominated. The stark irony of his situation was not lost on him.
It was in this very year, amidst his private battle with alcoholism and suicidal thoughts, that *Lagaan* had cemented his status as a cinematic icon. A newspaper headline, hailing him as “Man of the Year, Aamir Khan,” struck him as profoundly paradoxical, a cruel twist of fate for a man silently fighting for his very existence. He even recalled the poignant lines from the 1978 film *Gaman*, singing “Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar” with visible emotion, a song that perfectly encapsulated his profound sense of loss and yearning.
Forging New Paths: Co-Parenting and Enduring Respect
Despite the immense pain, Aamir and Reena navigated their separation with a commitment to their shared history and their children. Years later, Aamir reflected on their split during an appearance on *Koffee with Karan*, emphasizing that despite the “traumatic” experience for both families, they never lost “love or respect for each other.” This foundational respect allowed them to build an enduring co-parenting relationship, prioritizing the well-being of Junaid and Ira.
Aamir eventually found love again, marrying director Kiran Rao in 2005. Together, they welcomed their son, Azad Rao Khan, and built a creative and personal partnership. Their journey, too, saw an amicable separation in 2021 after 16 years of marriage, showcasing a consistent philosophy of respectful transitions. Today, Aamir maintains remarkably cordial relationships with both Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, a testament to his dedication to his family, regardless of marital status. He is currently in a relationship with Gauri Spratt, a friend he has known for two decades, continuing to embrace new chapters while honoring the past.
