In a forthright interview with Vogue, Bollywood actor Imran Khan set the record straight about his personal life, confirming his divorce from Avantika Malik and opening up about his relationship with Lekha Washington. Imran Khan spoke candidly, “I’ve been out of the room for a very long time. In my absence, it has been easy to speak about me. The speculation that I’m romantically involved with Lekha Washington is true. I’m divorced and have been separated since February 2019. There’s this narrative of Lekha being a homewrecker, which infuriates me because not only is it misogynistic but it also takes away my agency as an individual.”
Imran Khan, known for his debut in the film ‘Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na’ back in 2008, has been subject to much media speculation regarding his marriage with Avantika Malik, whom he wed in 2011. Rumblings of a rift emerged around 2019, but silence prevailed from both parties involved. It wasn’t until recent times that these speculations were confirmed, with Khan disclosing that he has been separated for over three years.
In a landscape where personal narratives are often co-opted and skewed, Imran expressed his exasperation over the portrayal of his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, as a ‘homewrecker.’ He emphasized the importance of recognizing mutual agency and respect in personal decisions, rather than ascribing blame or creating false narratives. “Lekha and I grew close during the lockdown, a year and a half after I had been separated from Avantika and almost a year after she had separated from her partner, not husband as it has been widely reported,” Imran clarified, hoping to set the record straight and dispel the rumors once and for all.
Avantika Malik and Imran’s journey began positively with their nuptials and welcomed a daughter, Imara, into their lives. The duo had previously radiated couple goals until the unpredictability of life and relationships led them down separate paths.
Further adding to his acting career narrative, a friend of Imran’s alluded to his decision to quit acting a few years ago. Despite the hearsay, Imran has navigated through a fluctuating career trajectory in Bollywood, with varying degrees of success beyond his first film. His filmography includes efforts in ‘Kidnap,’ ‘Luck,’ ‘I Hate Luv Storys’, ‘Break Ke Baad’, ‘Delhi Belly’, ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’, and ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’, to name a few. Notwithstanding, his silver screen presence hasn’t always translated into box office hits.
Lekha Washington, Imran’s current partner, has carved out her niche in the Tamil and Telugu film industries and even shared screen space with Khan in the Hindi film ‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola’. Her repertoire stands on its own and her professional achievements further challenge the misplaced title of ‘homewrecker’ that has been unfairly attached to her.
Imran Khan, nephew to Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, has invariably been in the public eye, both for his professional endeavors and personal life. Now, by taking ownership of his narrative, he seeks to articulate the nuances and complexities of his experiences and relationships. In doing so, Imran not only rebukes the prevailing rumors but also sheds light on the often one-dimensionally portrayed personal lives of public figures.
In an industry where the confluence of public perception and private realities often yields relentless scrutiny, Khan’s transparency comes as a refreshing counter-narrative. It remains to be seen how his revelation will impact the ongoing collective discourse surrounding the personal lives of celebrities and the ethics of public consumption of the same.
(With inputs from ANI)
