In an industry where celebrity relationships often overshadow individual accomplishments, filmmaker Kiran Rao has recently articulated her stance on being recurrently identified as Aamir Khan’s wife, despite their marital status having changed. The artist spoke candidly during a promotional interview with Zoom TV about her personal experience and perspective on this identification that persists well after their separation in August 2021.
Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan, whose nuptials took place in 2005, have remained in the public eye not just for their high-profile marriage but also their collaborative work in the film industry. Their partnership, however, came to an amicable conclusion over a year ago, yet the shadow of their once-shared surname continues to loom over Rao’s public persona.
Kiran spoke openly of instances where the public continues to associate her identity with Aamir Khan. “I am routinely asked, even now at the airport… people go like, ‘You are Aamir Khan’s wife, right?’” Kiran disclosed, illustrating that her individual identity is often overlooked in favor of her famous association. She admitted that this recognition has become a normal part of her public interactions, adding with a hint of humor that her new reality requires her to correct them to ‘Ex-wife’.
Despite the constancy of such encounters, Rao remains unbothered by them, attributing her resilience to her dedication to maintaining her individuality. “Personally, I have always had my own interests, my own friends, and my own life, which I actually actively worked at having,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of space and identity within a marriage.
The filmmaker further expanded on the potential emotional toll such reductive identification could have taken, had she not fostered a firm sense of self. Working with Aamir in Aamir Khan Productions has proven to be a positive experience for her, particularly in their recent project, ‘Laapataa Ladies’, which marks her return to the director’s chair after an extended hiatus. Aamir’s support of her creative input was not just professional courtesy but also a sincere recognition of her talents, she explained.
‘Laapataa Ladies’, a comedy-drama teeming with fresh talent, includes Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and the renowned Ravi Kishan among the lead roles. The film, which is generating considerable buzz, also saw Aamir Khan auditioning for the ultimately Ravi Kishan-portrayed role of Manohar. Both Aamir and Kiran agreed upon reviewing Kishan’s audition that he was the ideal fit for the character.
This creative collaboration showcases that their professional relationship continues to flourish even though their personal relationship has seen a change. Presented by Jio Studios, the film is a product of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with Kiran at its creative helm. The script of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ draws from an award-winning story penned by Biplab Goswami, with Sneha Desai responsible for the screenplay and dialogue, complemented by additional dialogues from Divyanidhi Sharma.
As the film readies for its release on March 1, 2024, Kiran’s openness about her personal journey underscores a broader narrative. It’s a potent reminder of the need for society to acknowledge and appreciate women for their own merits, irrespective of their marital alliances. While Kiran traverses the intersection of personal history and professional acclaim, her unwavering commitment to her individuality offers a compelling blueprint for self-definition amidst the inescapable spotlight of stardom.
