Tannaz Irani, known for her roles in shows like Zabaan Sambhalke and Bigg Boss, and films such as Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, recently opened up about her personal life. In an interview with Hauterrfly, the actress discussed her first marriage, divorce, and the emotional impact on her and her daughter. She also shared details about her love story with Bakhtyaar Irani, their age gap, and becoming a mother again in her 40s.
Marrying an Older Muslim Man
Tannaz revealed that she married a Muslim man who was 18 years older than her. She stated, "My ex-husband's family was never orthodox. I married a Muslim man who was 18 years older than me, and my parents accepted it because they knew I would always follow my heart." She added that her ex-husband was a wonderful theatre actor and a very sorted person. She became a mother to her first child at a young age, and her daughter is now her best friend.
The Age Gap Became Apparent Over Time
After eight years of marriage, Tannaz began to feel that she wanted something different in life. She explained, "I think the age gap slowly started showing over time. When you are in your 20s, you grow a lot as a person and want to explore life. He always gave me space and supported me, but I think I wanted something different at that stage." She wanted to go out, party, and enjoy new experiences, while he had already gone through that phase.
Understanding and Progressive Ex-Husband
Looking back, Tannaz admitted that she was immature at the time. She said, "He was actually very understanding and progressive. He never stopped me from wearing what I wanted or going where I wanted. His family was also very open-minded. But I think I was too immature then to fully understand that."
Mom's Guilt After Divorce
Tannaz expressed deep regret about the impact of the divorce on her daughter. She said, "A daughter's biggest safety factor is her mother - and I broke that." Her daughter went into a shell as a coping mechanism. Tannaz advised other mothers to give their children space and to apologize without expecting immediate forgiveness. She emphasized that parents are not gods and make mistakes, and they must reach out to their children.
Love Story with Bakhtyaar Irani
Tannaz met Bakhtyaar Irani on a reality show. Initially, she thought he was the worst person on earth after he played a prank that made her cry. She told him she would never talk to him again. However, during Fame Gurukul, he apologized repeatedly, and slowly things changed. She started giving him home remedies for his sore throat, not realizing he was falling in love with her.
Bakhtyaar Fought for Their Relationship
Bakhtyaar had to fight for their relationship because Tannaz was older and divorced. She said, "Naturally, not every family easily accepts such things for their son. But he always stood by me and supported me." He continues to defend her against any negativity.
Becoming a Mother in Her 40s
When Tannaz became pregnant with her daughter Zara in her 40s, doctors advised an amniocentesis test due to her age. She was scared about the risks. She went to church with her son Zias, and the entire congregation prayed for her. The test results took time, and she was extremely nervous. She wanted Zias to have a sibling. Finally, the results came back normal, and she felt relieved.
