Missed Fatherhood: Aamir Khan Regrets Being Absent From His Children’s Lives

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, known for his versatility and dedication to his craft, recently opened up about his regrets as a father in an emotionally charged interview on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, Chapter 2. The 59-year-old actor, who is a father to three children—Junaid, Ira, and Azad Khan—expressed deep remorse over being absent during critical moments in their lives due to his intense focus on his career.

Aamir Khan’s Reflections on Fatherhood

During the interview, Aamir candidly shared how his unwavering commitment to his career came at a significant personal cost. He admitted that while he was always in close contact with his directors and professional team, he remained largely unaware of the challenges faced by his children. “My focus was always on winning over the audience. I had no idea about their feelings or needs when they were young,” Aamir revealed.

 

The Impact on His Children

Aamir particularly reflected on how his absence affected his daughter, Ira, who has publicly spoken about her struggles with depression. “Ira is better now, but she needed me back then,” he lamented. The actor also touched on his relationship with his eldest son, Junaid, who made his acting debut this year with Maharaj. Aamir confessed, “Junaid has lived his life without me. He’s taking the last big step in his career, and I need to be with him now.”

Aamir also expressed concern for his youngest son, Azad, who is nine years old. The actor acknowledged that Azad’s childhood is fleeting and that time with him is precious. “Azad’s childhood won’t come back,” he said, voicing his desire to be more present as a father.

A Desire for Change

In a moment of vulnerability, Aamir revealed that he once considered quitting Bollywood entirely. However, it was his children, Ira and Junaid, who persuaded him otherwise, advising that it would be a “big mistake” to leave the industry he loves.

Looking ahead, Aamir Khan is set to star in R.S. Prasanna’s upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, alongside Genelia D’Souza and Darsheel Safary, marking another chapter in his illustrious career.