Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announced their divorce after 15 years of marriage today, July 3. In this article, we recall Aamir’s story with his first wife, Reena Dutta.

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announced their divorce after 15 years of marriage today, July 3. Before Kiran, Aamir was married to Reena Dutta for 16 years. Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta may have ended their 16-year-long marriage in 2002, but it was not a bitter separation. They also have two children together, son Junaid Khan and daughter- Ira Khan. Let’s recall the actor’s story with Reena Dutta

AAMIR KHAN AND REENA DUTTA’S STORY

Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta’s relationship started out in a very filmy way. Both were neighbours and often stared at each other for hours through their windows. Aamir finally gathered the courage to tell her about his love, but a skeptical Reena turned him down. He persuaded her a few more times, but Reena’s answer was always negative.

Just when Aamir had given up hope, Reena confessed to him that she felt the same way about him. During an interview back in 1999, he had said, “I spent a little more time than natural in front of my window. I just told her that I loved her and I hoped that she felt the same about me.’

He added, “And as it happened she said that she didn’t so I was devastated that this can’t be happening to me again. I’m not the kind of guy who gives up easily. I didn’t take no for an answer. After two days she met me and she said I still feel the same. I really avoided the window. I was heartbroken and I was trying to stay away from her and get over her.”

AAMIR KHAN ONCE WROTE A LOVE LETTER TO REENA DUTTA WITH BLOOD

Did you know that Aamir had once written a love letter to her with his blood? Apparently, when Aamir was in a relationship with Reena, he thought it would be a good idea to express his feelings with blood. However, it backfired and Reena was not impressed. She asked him never to repeat such a stunt again, and Aamir realised later that this was not the right way to prove his love.

REENA DUTTA HELPED AAMIR KHAN IN PRODUCING LAGAAN

As Lagaan clocked 20 years on June 15, Aamir, in a press conference shared special incidences of the legendary film that released in 2001. On being asked one particular thing that has stayed with him all these years, the actor recalled how his Reena Dutta assisted him to make his dream come true. Reena, who stepped into Bollywood with Aamir’s Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, made a big move by producing Lagaan. It was Reena’s first time producing a film.

‘I think the one thing that remains with me is the way Reena handled the film. My ex-wife Reena, who was a producer of the film, was somebody who had no understanding of cinema until then. Though she was married to me for number of years, she was not interested in films. So she never knew anything about filming.

So, when I requested her one night that main produce kar raha hoon (film), I will need your help. So, she said I don’t know anything about filmmaking, what can I help you with?” revealed Aamir Khan during the press conference.

He added, ‘She (Reena Dutta) was very sporting and she said I will learn. Usne I (will) learn kya bola, ke usne pura hi sikh liya. She went and met Subhash Ghai. She met Manmohan Shetty who runs a lab. She went to the lab and asked negative kya hota hai dikhao. Sound negative kya hota hai, processing kya hoti hai, printing kya hoti hai, lab ka process hota kya hai.”

AAMIR KHAN AND REENA ARE CORDIAL EVEN AFTER DIVORCE

Even after their divorce in 2002, Aamir and Reena share a great friendship. They work together on the Paani Foundation, of which she is the COO. Aamir had told a Chinese news channel earlier, “She is a wonderful person as well. Sometimes a relationship doesn’t work but I have a lot of love and respect for her. In fact, we are working together on this Paani project. She is the COO of the company.’

On his relationship with Reena, the actor once opened up on Koffee With Karan Season 6 saying, ‘Reena and I were married for 16 long years. When we split up, it was traumatic for us and our families. We tried to deal with the situation as best as we could. Reena and I did not lose love or respect for each other post our split.’