MUMBAI: Filmmaker Kiran Rao who amicably parted ways with Aamir Khan in 2021, after being married for 15 years, in a recent interview, spoke about her divorce from her former husband and actor and also shared how marriage tends to 'stifle' or 'suffocating', especially for a woman.

Talking to Brut India, Kiran said that she and Aamir lived together for about a year before they got married for the sake of their parents. "At that time too, we knew that it's a great institution if you can function as an individual as well as a couple within that institution. I think the way you interpret marriage is important because it was for a particular purpose and this social sanction really matters to a lot of people. It matters to children.”

Kiran also highlighted how a marriage can have a negative impact on an individual where one is likely to feel trapped. She added, “I think the thing that we don’t talk about enough is how marriage tends to stifle, especially women. So, how do you know you could perhaps find a way to be more yourself within it, is I think something that is up for debate and discussion.”

Sharing her own experience  and how she dealt with it, she said she “took my sweet time so I didn’t have any worry about it.” She emphasised the role Aamir and their strong relationship played in helping her overcome the situation and deal with it better. “The thing is, Aamir and I were very strong and continue to have a very strong relationship as two humans. We are very connected to each other; we deeply respect and love each other, so that hasn’t changed, and so, therefore, I was not worried. I knew that I needed my space. I wanted to live independently, and I needed that to grow myself.”

Kiran and Aamir met on the sets of Ashutosh Gowariker's 2001 period drama and Aamir's maiden production, Lagaan, where she was an Assistant Director. They began dating in 2004 before tying the knot in 2005. They tried for a baby multiple times, but after Kiran couldn't conceive, they welcomed their son Azad in 2011.