Imran Khan Reveals Marriage to Avantika Malik Was 'Unhealthy' and Ending It Helped Him Heal
Bollywood actor Imran Khan has shared a deeply personal account of his mental health journey, revealing that his marriage to Avantika Malik was unhealthy and that ending it was crucial for his personal growth and recovery. In a candid conversation, the actor explained how focusing on his mental wellbeing helped him realize the relationship was no longer working, leading to their separation in 2019.
The Mental Health Awakening That Changed Everything
Imran Khan disclosed that his awareness of mental health struggles began in 2016, long before his separation from Avantika Malik. He credited his mother, a psychoanalyst, for giving him early exposure to mental health conversations without stigma. "Well before my divorce, around 2016, I realised something was wrong," Khan revealed. "I just didn't feel like the version of myself I saw in my head. I was interacting with the world out of fear and crippling anxiety. In my head, I thought I was chill, but I was an absolute wreck."
The actor described this period as a mental health scare that forced him to confront his true state. "In June 2016, I started working on my mental health," he said. "I began analysis and made it my primary focus for 2016, 2017, and 2018. Besides being a full-time parent, I was actively working on fixing myself."
Recognizing the Unhealthy Marriage Dynamic
It was during this introspective journey that Imran began to reassess his marriage with Avantika Malik. "Within that, I developed the understanding that my dynamic with my partner was unhealthy," he explained. "Our relationship began when we were very young, and we didn't have the life experience to understand what was healthy or unhealthy in a partnership."
Khan elaborated that once he became more conscious, he saw they were stuck in a cycle they couldn't break. "Any change required both of us, and it wasn't happening," he said. "I understood that in order to be the healthiest, best version of myself, I have to remove myself from this relationship."
Proactive Separation for Personal Healing
Imran emphasized that his decision to separate was a proactive step toward self-healing, not the trigger for his mental health struggles as many had speculated. "Many assumed my divorce triggered my crisis, but the worst years were actually the last couple of years of my marriage," he clarified. "Choosing to end it was a turning point—it allowed me to heal and grow."
The actor explained that they were not in sync and unable to support each other being their best selves. "Whatever the hurt and trauma that comes from separation, it is still preferable to remaining in an unhealthy environment," he stated firmly.
Finding Purpose as a Single Father
Throughout this challenging period, Imran found stability and purpose in raising his daughter, Imara Malik Khan. "She has always been my anchor, my lighthouse," he shared emotionally. "Even when I felt lost, my love for her and my responsibility toward her became my guiding principle. That's what motivated me to work on myself and be a healthy father."
Seven years after his separation, Khan continues to be hands-on as a single parent. "I've never hired staff," he revealed. "I value the time with her; I don't want anyone else putting her to bed or driving her to school. I am greedy—I want that time."
He detailed his parenting routine: "Thursday to Sunday, she is with me, and I do everything myself: pack her dabba, read to her, drive her to school. This is the most valuable time for me, and I won't give it up for anything else."
The Relationship Timeline
Imran Khan and Avantika Malik's relationship spanned nearly two decades:
- First met in 2002
- Tied the knot in 2011
- Welcomed daughter Imara Malik Khan in 2014
- Separated in 2019 after eight years of marriage
The actor's journey from mental health struggles to self-awareness and ultimately making the difficult decision to end his marriage represents a powerful story of personal growth and healing in the face of public scrutiny and personal challenges.
