Aamir Khan 'Angry' at Himself for Not Being With Azad, Ira and Junaid: 'I Decided to Leave Films...'

Aamir Khan, renowned for his meticulous approach to filmmaking, recently opened up about the personal costs of his dedication. In a candid conversation on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast “Chapter 2,” the actor shared his regret over being absent from his children’s lives, which he claims led him to a profound decision to leave the film industry.

Khan, who has been a fixture in Indian cinema for over three decades, admitted that the pandemic provided him with a harsh perspective on his priorities. He revealed that his intense focus on his career had caused him to miss significant moments in the lives of his three children—Ira, Junaid, and Azad.

Recalling the struggles his children faced during his absence, Khan expressed deep regret. He shared, “Ira was struggling with depression at the time, she is much better now. But then she needed me. Junaid is starting his career. He has lived his life without me. And now, perhaps he is taking the last big step in his life, towards his career. If I am not with him at this time, then what’s the point? Azad is 9 years now. In another 3 years, he will be a teenager. His childhood won’t come back.”

The actor reflected on his disconnect from his children’s lives and the emotional toll it took. “I had strong feelings for my family, but my focus was always on winning over the audience. I had no idea about their feelings or needs when they were young. I knew everything about my team and directors but was unaware of my own children’s challenges,” he said, choking up.

Khan acknowledged that his family, despite their requests for his time, never pressured him, understanding his obsession with work. This realisation was a turning point for him. “I decided to leave films because I was angry at myself and my work for taking me away from my family. I didn’t want to be associated with it,” he explained.

Although he initially stepped away from the film industry following the release of “Laal Singh Chaddha” in 2022, Khan returned to cinema this year. He produced his ex-wife Kiran Rao’s film “Laapataa Ladies” and is set to star in “Sitaare Zameen Par.”