Actor Imran Khan, who stepped away from the spotlight after publicly opening up about his mental health struggles, has now shared an intimate and hopeful account of his journey toward healing. In a recent interview, Imran spoke candidly about how fatherhood, love, and consistent therapy have played a defining role in helping him regain emotional balance and rediscover a sense of purpose in life.
After his divorce from Avantika Malik in 2019, Imran went through a period of deep personal introspection and emotional difficulty. However, over time, he found renewed strength through his daughter Imara and his partner, actor Lekha Washington. According to Imran, their presence in his life has been nothing short of transformative.
Speaking to NDTV, the actor reflected on the healing power of love. “To be loved by someone truly gives you strength and heals you. To give love truthfully and selflessly to another also is empowering and healing,” he shared. Imran described the bond he shares with his daughter and partner as central to his emotional recovery. “I have found this, in between my daughter and my partner Lekha, to give and to receive love. It has been absolutely crucial to my healing and to my own growth and well-being,” he added.
Imran also acknowledged the significant role therapy has played in helping him rebuild his mental health. He emphasized that recovery is not an overnight process but one that requires consistent effort and patience. Reflecting on the past few years, he noted steady improvement. “The last few years in particular, every year has been better than the last. The last five-six years have been just better and better,” he said. According to Imran, the past couple of years have marked a turning point, with him feeling more settled and at peace within himself.
This renewed sense of emotional stability has also reignited his desire to return to work. “The last couple of years have kind of coincided with me feeling very settled within myself and feeling a desire to work,” he said, hinting at a gradual but confident return to acting.
Fatherhood, Imran believes, has been one of the most grounding forces in his life. After Imara was born, he made a conscious decision to step away from professional commitments to be fully present as a parent. Describing his daily routine, Imran said, “I put her to bed. I would feed her. Even now, I just got back from picking her up from school.” These everyday moments, he explained, give him immense joy and a deep sense of purpose.
“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,” he said, underlining why family remains his top priority.
Imran also spoke about how difficult it is for him to compromise on time spent with his daughter, even when it comes to professional opportunities. “It means that then I would miss a day with her. Basically, it takes a lot to get me to give up on that,” he admitted. He recalled making conscious efforts to balance work and parenting during the filming of Adhoore Hum, Adhoore Tum, which required a three-month shoot. “Wherever I could, I would try to adjust my dates and my timings to not miss time with her,” he said.
In the past, Imran has also addressed public speculation surrounding his health. After paparazzi photos of him went viral, rumors circulated online suggesting drug abuse. In an Instagram post, Imran clarified the situation and opened up about the emotional toll such speculation took on him.
“When I was photographed, it sparked a media discussion about my wellbeing, and speculations of drug abuse!” he wrote. He admitted feeling deeply ashamed and embarrassed at the time, which led him to withdraw even further. However, he emphasized that the journey since then has been one of gradual improvement and self-acceptance.
“It’s been an uphill journey, but these days I’m doing better than ever,” Imran shared. He also spoke about reconnecting with fitness through training and prioritizing health in a way that feels sustainable. While maintaining a light-hearted tone, he acknowledged that he no longer compares himself harshly to others.
On the professional front, Imran Khan is now set to make his return with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, which releases this Friday. As he steps back into the world of cinema, Imran’s journey stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health, self-compassion, and the healing power of love.