Imran Khan has spoken about the painful side of single parenting, saying he often struggles to arrange play dates for his daughter, Imara, as some parents are reluctant to send their children to a home where a single man lives.
The actor said he understood why some mothers felt wary, but the repeated rejection was difficult because he had to tell his daughter, week after week, that her friends couldn’t come.
Imran Khan talks about the challenges of parenting
Speaking to Parineeti Chopra on her show Mom Talks, Imran said that his daughter stays with him for part of the week, and arranging play dates becomes difficult when she is at his house.“I was trying to make plans,” he recalls. “And Amara would ask me: ‘Can you ask this friend if he can come play?’ So I would find the number and text one of the moms: ‘Can so-and-so come play?’ And they would say: ‘Sorry, not today.’”
Next week again: “Hey, can we do that?” They say: “No, not today.”Imran said he slowly realized that some parents did not feel comfortable sending their children, especially girls, to a single parent home. He said: I am a man and I am the father, but since I am divorced now, there is no woman in the house.
Imran Khan says the situation was heartbreaking
The actor said the rejection continued even after several attempts. “So I would try to come up with a plan, and they would say: ‘Sorry, not today’, ‘Sorry, busy’, ‘Sorry, tennis lesson today’, ‘Sorry, tuition today’ and it would be like that enough times that after four times of asking, it was still ‘no’.
Imran said that he did not ignore the concern behind this hesitation. “So, look, we also live in a world where there are enough problematic men. You can kind of understand where that thinking comes from. It was heartbreaking because I had to say to my daughter week after week: ‘Sorry, your girlfriend can’t come.’Parineeti responded that a single mother would likely receive more sympathy. “If the same was true for a single mother, I don’t even want to say a single mother, just a single parent, I don’t think they would have that problem,” she said.Imran also spoke about the lack of emotional support for single parents. He said male friendships often carry thoughts like “bro, be a man, don’t be weak,” which can leave vulnerable feelings unaddressed.In a previous conversation with this publication, Imran said that he and his ex-wife, Avantika Malik, share custody. “From Thursday to Sunday, she is with me. I put her to bed, read to her at night, wake her up in the morning, pack her dabba, drive her to school and pick her up from school.
“Because this is the most valuable to me,” he said.Imran married Avantika in 2011. They welcomed Amara in June 2014 and separated after eight years of marriage. In 2024, he confirmed his relationship with actress Lekha Washington.Disclaimer: This article discusses personal thoughts on single parenting, family structures, and social perceptions. It is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide psychological, relationship or family advice.