Kiran Rao reveals she married Aamir Khan because of parental pressure

Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan might not be together but they continue to remain friends. The former couple recently collaborated on their film Laapata Ladies which turned out to be a massive hit.

When prodded on their chemistry even after breaking up romantically, she revealed in an interview with She The People that they in fact got married because of parental pressure.

Kiran Rao said, “I've always felt that (marriage as an institution is up for a rethink). Aamir and I lived together for a year before we got married honestly, we did it more because parents and you know… all the rest of it and even at that time we knew that it’s a great institution if you can function as individuals as well as a couple within that institution.”

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Kiran Rao on their separation

On their separation, the director added, “The thing we don't talk about enough is how marriage tends to stifle, especially women. How you could find perhaps a way to be yourself within the institution. That's something up for debate and discussion. Esther Perel (American psychologist) has written an amazing book on it, and it's very interesting. As apes, we were living together. This nuclear family setup is a pressure, and it's a pressure especially on women.”

“There's so much responsibility on the women to run the house, keep the family together. In fact, women are expected to keep in touch with the in-laws, to be in touch with your husband's family. That's a lot of expectation,” she added.

Kiran and Aamir met on the sets of Ashutosh Gowariker's 2001 period drama, Lagaan. She was an Assistant Director in the film. They began dating in 2004 before tying the knot in 2005.

The couple welcomed their son Azad in 2011. The couple announced their separation in 2021.