Kiran Rao opens up about ‘unusual’ equation with Aamir Khan, her bond with Reena Dutta: ‘His family is more mine than his’
Kiran Rao spoke about her equation with Reena Dutta, and admitted that the 'modern family 2.0' set-up that she shares with Aamir Khan could be perceived as 'unusual'.
Filmmaker Kiran Rao addressed the media attention that she gets whenever she’s photographed in public with her ex-husband Aamir Khan‘s first ex-wife, Reena Dutta. She said that she’s happy to give ‘tips’ on modern families to anybody looking for them. Kiran and Reena both remain very close to Aamir, and live in close proximity to each other. Kiran, in fact, still lives in the same building, and said in a new interview that she’s closer to Aamir’s family than the actor himself.
Asked about the interest that their familial set-up generates among the public, Kiran told Film Companion in an interview, “I was quite surprised by it when it started. Whenever Reena and I have been anywhere out together, the cameras go crazy. They’re not even interested in Aamir. And Reena and I are like, ‘OK, we’ll smile together’, because we’re friends. Why’s it such a big deal?”
She continued, “But coming to this juncture, where people are talking about modern families and family 2.0… I’m all for being the poster girl for this kind of a modern, inclusive family. We should have more of this. So, please, I’m happy to give tips to anybody who wants to be friends with their exes, ex-wives, and exes’ exes. We need more people showing that marriage is a wonderful relationship, and that people can move on from it and continue their relationship as friends or family.”
Kiran said that she and Aamir have always been happy to normalise unusual life choices, and spoke publicly about taking the surrogacy route with their son, Azad. She admitted that regular people might find it a bit strange that she is still so close to Aamir, even after their divorce. “You see other ex couples being cordial and nice, but it isn’t that often that people are close. Aamir and I also work together, we live in the same building, his family is more mine than his in some ways, so I guess that is unusual.”
Kiran and Aamir tied the knot in 2005 and divorced in 2021. They are currently promoting their latest film, Laapataa Ladies, which Kiran has directed and Aamir is co-producing. Aamir was married to Reena from 1986 to 2002; they have two children together, son Junaid and daughter Ira.
