Aamir Khan said he would have quit making films as he was ‘angry and irritated’ with himself for not being able to spend enough time with his family but his children pushed him to return to work.

New Delhi: Actor Aamir Khan took a sabbatical after the release of his film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ to spend time with his family. The actor has now revealed that he would have quit making films as he was ‘angry and irritated’ with himself for not being able to spend enough time with his family and loved ones but his children pushed him to return to the movies.

The 58-year-old said it was somewhere around 2.5 years ago when he realised that his passion for cinema had taken over his life, including his relationship with children Junaid Khan, Ira Khan, and Azad Rao Khan.

‘Around 2.5 years ago, I realised I was so lost in my passion that I hadn’t given enough time to my relationships. I was disturbed and unhappy. I would have left films if not for my children. I was angry and irritated with myself,’ Aamir said at News18 India’s ‘Amrit Ratna 2023’ event.

So he took a break to spend time with his children and mother tut after a year and a half, Junaid and Ira told him to get back to work and strike a balance between personal and professional life.

“After one and a half years, my children sat me down and explained to me, ‘You have always been an extreme person. When you were working, you were only working. And now you want to stay only with us. Ye dono ke beech ka bhi raasta hai, jo aam log follow krte hain, humaari bhi zindagi hai, humein bhi waqt chahiye (There is a middle road that normal people follow. We too have a life and we need time for ourselves)’,” Aamir said.

“My children are quite mature now. They told me, ‘Don’t leave your work, this is your life, this is your passion,” he continued.

Opening up about being in therapy for two years on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Aamir said it has been ‘quite a journey’.

‘I can’t go back to the time when Junaid was 5 or Ira was 4. We need to understand what we want to do with our time. I’ve become mindful. I’ve been in therapy for 2 years. I believe we are not trained to do everything.

‘When one is in stress or is going through emotional issues they should go to a therapist. It has helped me a lot in understanding myself better. I aspire to become a better version of myself,’ he said.

The actor said he is happy that he is able to fill the gaps in his relationship with his children.

‘With all my kids, I’m like a friend. I’m a friendly father. We share a strong bond and talk openly… I’m calmer. My relationship with my kids is better now,’ he added.