Actor Imran Khan opens up about the joys, quiet struggles of being a single father | The Express Tribune
Says single fathers rarely find emotional support single mothers receive from other women
Actor Imran Khan made a rare public appearance, featuring in an interview on fellow actor Parineeti Chopra’s show Mom Talks, speaking candidly about his life as a single father and the emotional challenges that come with parenting.
Sharing a heartfelt perspective, Imran said that parenthood, for him, was not merely a responsibility but an honour and privilege, as it allows him precious time with his daughter.
Imran shares daughter Imara with his ex-wife Avantika Malik. The former couple welcomed their daughter in June 2014 before separating in 2019. Despite the split, Imran revealed that the two co-parent Imara and that he spends three to four days a week with her.
However, the actor reflected on the realities of single parenting. Opening up about one of the unexpected difficulties of being a single father, Imran said arranging playdates for Imara can often be challenging.
He explained that some mothers feel hesitant sending their children, especially daughters, to his home as he lives alone without a female family member present. According to the actor, however, he understands where such concerns come from.
“We also live in a world where there are enough problematic men. You can understand where this thinking comes from,” he said, adding that it was heartbreaking to repeatedly have to tell his daughter that her friends could not come over.
Further, Imran noted that while single mothers may often receive emotional support from other women, single fathers are rarely able to find that same support system. He added that societal expectations around masculinity often discourage men from expressing vulnerability, making the emotional journey of single fatherhood even more isolating.
On the work front, Imran is set to make his much-awaited comeback after a long break from the entertainment industry. Nearly a decade after stepping away from films, the Delhi Belly actor has reportedly begun shooting for his new Netflix project, Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, marking a fresh new chapter in his career.
