Aamir Khan's daughter Ira addresses mental health struggle: 'Felt useless'

Choosing a different path from her father Aamir Khan’s cinematic legacy, Ira Khan has been steadily carving a space for herself through theatre initiatives and social work. In a recent heartfelt interview, Ira opened up about the emotional hurdles she faces, admitting she occasionally feels guilty for not achieving financial independence, even as she approaches her thirties.

In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, the 28-year-old shared her internal battles from a few years ago when self-doubt and guilt took a heavy toll. "At 26 or 27, I was overwhelmed by the thought that despite everything my parents had poured into me, I wasn't giving anything back," Ira confessed. She expressed that she grappled with a sense of purposelessness and a fear of disappointing her family.

Responding supportively, Aamir Khan stepped in to provide perspective. He clarified that Ira’s emotional turmoil primarily stemmed from not earning her own income before she founded the Agatsu Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness.

While Ira openly admitted her dissatisfaction with her career progress at the time, Aamir lovingly reassured her that financial achievement was never a benchmark of success for him. "It doesn’t bother me whether you earn money or not," he told her with warmth. "What matters most is that you're pursuing meaningful work and impacting lives for the better." Reflecting philosophically, he added, "Money is nothing more than a collective agreement — beyond that, it's just paper."

Ira Khan is the daughter of Aamir and his first wife, Reena Dutta. She shares a close bond with her younger brother, Junaid Khan, who recently stepped into the world of cinema with his debut film, launched in 2024.

On the personal front, Ira has also embraced a new chapter, marrying her longtime partner, fitness coach Nupur Shikhare, in an intimate ceremony.

Meanwhile, Aamir Khan, ever dynamic, is preparing for his upcoming feature film Sitaare Zameen Par, positioned as a spiritual sequel to his acclaimed 2008 release Taare Zameen Par. The details about the movie’s cast and premiere are still under wraps, fueling excitement among fans eager to see what emotional journey Aamir will embark on next.

Despite stepping away from Bollywood fame, Ira Khan’s honesty, resilience, and commitment to mental health advocacy are helping her build a legacy that's uniquely her own — one defined by passion rather than pressure.