Aamir Khan Says He Is a ‘Better Ex-Husband’ to Kiran Rao and Reena Dutta
Aamir Khan’s relationships with his former wives, Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, have remained notably cordial even after both marriages ended. A recent conversation involving Aamir’s longtime friend and Lagaan collaborator Amin Hajee has now offered another perspective on those relationships, with Hajee recalling Aamir’s own light-hearted assessment that he is a “better ex-husband than a husband.”
What Did Aamir Khan Say About Being a ‘Better Ex-Husband’?
The remark came up in Amin Hajee’s recent conversation with journalist Siddharth Kannan. Hajee and his wife, Charlotte, spoke about Aamir’s personality and his relationships with people close to him.
According to reports on the interview, Charlotte said Aamir has not changed the dynamics he shares with Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. She described the relationships within the family as genuine and said there is “pure love” between them. Hajee then recalled Aamir joking that he is a “better ex-husband than a husband.”
The distinction is important: the latest comment is being reported through Hajee’s account of Aamir’s remark rather than as a newly recorded Aamir interview specifically about his marriages.
Aamir Khan’s Relationship With Kiran Rao and Reena Dutta
Aamir’s first marriage was to Reena Dutta. The couple married in 1986 and divorced in 2002 after 16 years together. They have two children, Ira and Junaid Khan.
Aamir later married filmmaker Kiran Rao in 2005. They have a son, Azad Rao Khan, and announced their separation in 2021.
Despite the end of both marriages, Aamir has repeatedly spoken respectfully about the two women.
At the India Today Conclave in 2025, he described Reena and Kiran as two of the important people he had met in his life. He said that although they had gone through divorces, that did not erase the respect and love between them. He also said he held both women and their families in the highest regard.
Why Aamir’s Bond With His Ex-Wives Stands Out
Celebrity divorces often attract attention because audiences expect a separation to mark the end of a relationship altogether. Aamir’s situation has been different.
His relationship with Reena has continued beyond their marriage, including through their family and professional connections. Aamir has previously spoken about continuing to have love and respect for her even though their marriage did not work.
His relationship with Kiran has similarly remained connected through their son Azad and their continued association. Kiran has also spoken publicly about her equation with Aamir and clarified misconceptions surrounding the timeline of their relationship.
In a 2024 interview, Kiran said she and Aamir did not become romantically involved during the making of Lagaan and rejected the idea that she was responsible for his divorce from Reena.
Aamir Has Previously Spoken About His Divorces
The latest discussion is also consistent with comments Aamir made during earlier interviews.
In 2025, while discussing his personal relationships, Aamir acknowledged that his marriages had not worked out but stressed that the people involved remained important to him.
He also previously described his marriage to Reena as a “runaway marriage” and spoke warmly about the relationship they continued to share after their divorce.
In another earlier interview, Aamir explained that he met Kiran while working on Lagaan, but said there was no relationship between them at the time. He said they became closer only after his separation and divorce from Reena.
What Has Amin Hajee Said About Aamir Khan?
Amin Hajee has known Aamir for decades, having worked with him during Lagaan. Hajee has also spoken about Aamir’s support for his own filmmaking career.
In the recent Siddharth Kannan conversation, Hajee described Aamir as someone who has maintained genuine relationships with people around him. His wife Charlotte also praised Aamir’s positive outlook and his tendency to focus on the good in people.
The conversation therefore went beyond Aamir’s marriages. Hajee was discussing the actor’s personality more broadly, including his loyalty to friends and his approach to relationships.
Aamir Khan’s Family After Divorce: What Is Confirmed?
- Aamir Khan was married to Reena Dutta from 1986 to 2002.
- They have two children, Ira and Junaid Khan.
- Aamir married Kiran Rao in 2005.
- Aamir and Kiran have a son, Azad Rao Khan.
- Aamir and Kiran announced their separation in 2021.
- Aamir has publicly continued to express respect and affection for both Reena and Kiran.
The latest “better ex-husband” comment should therefore be understood in the context of a relationship dynamic Aamir has discussed for years, rather than as evidence of a new development between the three.
What Does ‘Better Ex-Husband’ Actually Mean?
The phrase appears to be a self-deprecating way of describing Aamir’s belief that he has been able to maintain stronger relationships with Reena and Kiran after their marriages ended.
It does not mean that either former marriage was unsuccessful in every respect, nor does it suggest that Aamir considers divorce a positive outcome.
Instead, the broader context of his interviews points toward a simpler idea: a marriage can end without respect for the person disappearing.
That distinction is particularly relevant in Aamir’s case because he has repeatedly spoken about both women with affection rather than reducing them to their status as former spouses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aamir Khan really a ‘better ex-husband’?
The phrase was recalled by his longtime friend Amin Hajee, who said Aamir has joked that he is a “better ex-husband than a husband.” The remark was discussed in Hajee’s recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan.
Who are Aamir Khan’s ex-wives?
Aamir Khan was previously married to Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. He married Reena in 1986 and Kiran in 2005. Both marriages later ended in divorce.
Does Aamir Khan still have a good relationship with Reena Dutta?
Yes. Aamir has repeatedly spoken respectfully about Reena and has said that they continue to share love and respect despite their divorce.
Does Aamir Khan still have a relationship with Kiran Rao?
Yes. Aamir and Kiran remain connected through their son Azad and have continued to maintain a close relationship after their separation.
Did Kiran Rao cause Aamir Khan’s divorce from Reena Dutta?
Kiran has rejected that interpretation. In a 2024 interview, she clarified that she and Aamir were not romantically involved while working on Lagaan and that their relationship developed after his separation from Reena.
The Bigger Picture
Aamir Khan’s “better ex-husband” remark is less about the label itself and more about how relationships can evolve after divorce.
His public comments over the years show a consistent emphasis on respect for Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, while Amin Hajee’s latest account adds a personal observation about how genuinely Aamir has maintained those connections.
For audiences accustomed to seeing celebrity relationships through the lens of weddings, separations and headlines, the story offers a different perspective: the end of a marriage does not necessarily have to mean the end of care, family ties or mutual respect.
Sources
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The Indian Express — Report on Amin Hajee’s comments about Aamir Khan’s relationship with Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, including the “better ex-husband” remark and the description of their continuing bond.
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Times of India — Report on Amin Hajee’s interview and his account of Aamir’s relationship with his former wives.
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The Economic Times — Detailed report on Amin Hajee and Charlotte’s comments about Aamir’s family relationships.
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India Today — Aamir Khan’s 2025 comments about his respect and affection for Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao.
Read the full report → -
India Today — Kiran Rao’s clarification about her relationship with Aamir and the timeline surrounding Reena Dutta’s divorce.
Read the full report →
