Aamir Khan-Kiran Rao Their Beautiful 16-Year Journey

Whatever  the reason  for their separation, the  16 years that Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan spent together  were  most enriching for  them both.

Aamir  met Kiran Rao when his  first marriage to Reema Dutta  was facing rough weather. Kiran  was  an assistant  on Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan .

“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. It was after my separation and divorce after some time that I met her again,” he had said in  an interview to an international news channel.

After  his  first marriage  ended Aamir spent  considerable time  pouring his heart out to Kiran about his painful split  with Reena.

One  of  Aamir’s friends had told me, “We  knew  there was something brewing. They were  spending a  lot  of  time  during the shooting. None  of us  was  surprised when   they  became  a  couple.”

Aamir khan and Kiran’s  was a meeting of minds. In his  earlier  marriage, Reena became  his wife when they  were  too young to understand one another. Reena  and Aamir  grew together,and then sadly,  grew apart. With  Kiran,  Aamir  discovered  a  kindered  spirit. They were passionate  about the  same things.Cinema  for one, and  Aamir  regularly consulted her over the scripts he  was offered.

They  got married  in December  2005  with minimum  fanfare.6 years later their son Azad  was born. Kiran under the  supervision of Aamir turned director  in  2011. Dhobi Ghat was well received. Aamir supported  her growth   as a filmmaker  all the way.

I remember how protective Kiran Rao was of Aamir. She  once  spoke to me about how I was “always” writing  critically about her husband.  “This is  not fair,” she  reminded  me.

So what  really went wrong  in the  marriage? The cracks began  appearing lately. Kiran and Aamir grew apart.  But their son  binds  them together for life. They may not be  husband and wife any longer.But they will always be Azad’s  parents.