'He suffered a heart attack': Aamir Khan reveals how his 1st wife Reena's family responded to their marriage

Aamir Khan, Bollywood's perfectionist, opened up about his first marriage to Reena Dutta in a candid conversation with Lallantop. Their union, which took place in 1986, was not an easy path. Aamir was not even 21 when he decided to take the plunge. To ensure he was acting within the bounds of legality, he studied the Special Marriage Act before going ahead. On April 18, 1986—his 21st birthday—he and Reena tied the knot in a court marriage. The witnesses included his friend Satya (of Satyamev Jayate fame), Satya's wife Swati, and his cousin Anand.

However, the couple’s joy was overshadowed by familial disapproval, especially from Reena’s side. When Reena informed her sister Anu, it triggered shock and turmoil within her family. Aamir felt it was time to disclose everything to his own parents. When he invited Reena to his house, his family believed she was just his girlfriend. But when the truth unfolded, emotions took over—especially among the women in his family. Unexpectedly, Aamir’s father, known for his temper, embraced him and offered his support.

Rejection and a Four-Month Silence

With his own family accepting the marriage, Aamir then decided to help Reena reconcile with hers. But things didn’t go as planned. Reena’s mother outright refused to let her daughter return home. Her words were painful, insisting that Reena was no longer part of the family. The emotional blow left Reena devastated. Aamir remembered those four months as one of the most trying times of their relationship. In a rare moment, Reena’s mother called them secretly when her husband wasn’t home, hinting at a thaw in the tension.

A Heart Attack That Mended Bonds

A significant turning point came when Reena’s father suffered a heart attack. Aamir and Reena rushed to the hospital. Inside the ICU, emotions overwhelmed both father and daughter. Though he didn’t speak at first, Aamir respectfully touched his feet. Over time, the coldness faded. Eventually, Reena’s father expressed regret for not meeting Aamir earlier. He admitted that Aamir was the kind of man he could never have found for his daughter on his own.

Struggles After the Divorce

Though their relationship began with intense passion and rebellion, it eventually came to an end. The couple parted ways in 2002, soon after the release of their milestone film Lagaan. Aamir later shared that the emotional fallout from the divorce led him into a battle with alcoholism, a difficult chapter he navigated privately.

A Romance Straight Out of the Movies

Aamir and Reena’s love story had all the makings of a film script. As young neighbors, they spent countless moments exchanging glances from their windows. Aamir mustered the courage to confess his feelings, but Reena initially declined. Still, he persisted, despite the heartbreak. Finally, Reena came around and revealed she too shared the same feelings. Their romance blossomed after that moment of vulnerability.

During an interview with India Today 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.”


A New Chapter with Familiar Themes

After years away from the spotlight, Aamir recently returned to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual follow-up to his acclaimed film Taare Zameen Par, continuing his legacy of emotionally driven storytelling that mirrors the highs and lows of his personal journey.