Imran Khan Breaks Silence on Mental Health Journey and Bollywood Comeback
Bollywood actor Imran Khan has finally opened up about his extended break from the film industry. After staying away from movies for several years, the actor is now preparing for his comeback with a special appearance in Vir Das' directorial debut 'Happy Patel'.
The Break Period and Mental Health Struggles
Imran revealed that he was dealing with depression during his time away from the spotlight. This mental health challenge directly contributed to his decision to step back from acting. The actor shared these personal details in a recent interview, marking one of his most candid conversations about this difficult period.
During this same timeframe, Imran went through a divorce from his wife Avantika Malik. The couple, who share a daughter named Imara, have maintained a co-parenting relationship since their separation in 2019.
Finding Love and Healing
Imran has since found love again with Lekha Washington. He described his current relationship as a significant part of his healing process. The actor emphasized how both his daughter and his partner have played crucial roles in his recovery journey.
"To be loved by someone truly gives you strength and heals you," Imran told NDTV. "To give love truthfully and selflessly to another also is empowering and healing. And I have found this, in between my daughter and my partner Lekha, to give and to receive love."
He characterized this new phase of his life as "empowering, uplifting, and a two-way thing." The actor also highlighted the importance of professional therapy in helping him rebuild himself emotionally.
Steady Improvement and Professional Motivation
Imran noted that his life has been steadily improving over recent years. "The last few years in particular, every year has been better than the last," he shared. "The last five-six years have been just better and better. And the last couple of years have kind of coincided with me feeling very settled within myself and feeling a desire to work."
This renewed sense of personal peace has translated into professional motivation, leading to his upcoming cameo appearance and other projects.
Fatherhood as a Defining Experience
For Imran, fatherhood has become one of the most significant experiences of his life. After his daughter Imara was born, he consciously chose to reduce his work commitments to be more present for her.
"I put her to bed. I would feed her. Even now, I just got back from picking her up from school," he explained. "So I do all of that stuff. Because it gives me great joy and a sense of purpose and value. And it seems, by and large, to me to be the best use of my time."
The actor acknowledged the challenges of balancing work and parenting. During his recent project 'Adhoore Hum, Adhoore Tum', which involved a three-month shoot, Imran tried to adjust his schedule whenever possible to avoid missing time with his daughter.
Addressing Public Scrutiny and Health Speculation
Imran also addressed the public discussion around his physical appearance earlier this year. After paparazzi photos showed him with noticeable weight gain, some media outlets speculated about possible drug use.
Responding to these rumors on Instagram, the actor wrote: "When I was photographed, it sparked a media discussion about my wellbeing, and speculations of drug abuse! I felt deeply ashamed, embarrassed to be seen by anyone in this state. So I retreated further."
He added: "It's been an uphill journey, but these days I'm doing better than ever; I exercise with my old friend who puts my health first and only feeds me supplements like walnuts and turmeric... seriously. And while I'm still a tad jealous of those dudes with superhero muscles... I don't feel bad about myself."
Imran's honest revelations about his mental health journey, combined with his plans for a professional comeback, mark a significant turning point for the actor who once dominated Bollywood's romantic comedy space.
