In a recent interview, actor Imran Khan has openly discussed the significant role his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, and his daughter, Imara, have played in his emotional recovery. He described their "truthful and selfless" love as vital in his healing journey, providing strength and helping him rediscover balance.
Khan shared that the past five to six years have shown steady improvement in his personal and emotional well-being. He and Washington have reportedly been in a relationship since 2020. Finding love again with Washington has been deeply empowering and uplifting for him.
"To be loved by someone truly gives you strength and heals you," Khan stated. "To give love truthfully and selflessly to another also is empowering and healing. And 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".
Khan met Washington during the COVID-19 lockdown, as they were in the same social circle. He addressed the "homewrecker" label, dismissing it as misogynistic. Washington was previously in a relationship with journalist Pablo Chatterji, who was an old school friend of Khan's. Khan was previously married to Avantika Malik, with whom he shares his daughter Imara. The marriage ended in divorce in 2019.
Khan and Washington are reportedly living together in a sea-facing apartment in the Bandra area of Mumbai, which they have leased from director Karan Johar. The rent for the apartment is ₹9 lakh per month.
Washington, born on April 30, 1987, has a diverse background. Her father has Burmese, Italian, and Punjabi ancestry, while her mother is Maharashtrian. She spent her childhood in Tamil Nadu and identifies as South Indian. English is her primary language, but she is also fluent in Marathi. Washington holds a degree in Fine Arts and also studied Lifestyle Product Design and Film and Video Communication.
She began her career in modeling and as a music video jockey. Washington has worked predominantly in South Indian movies, with her first role being a brief appearance in a song in the 1999 film Kadhalar Dhinam. She has since appeared in films like Yuva, Unnale Unnale, and Jayamkondaan. She also had a cameo in the Hindi movie Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, where she played a friend to Khan's character.
Khan's next film, Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Jasoos, is slated to release on January 16 and will feature special appearances by Aamir Khan and Imran Khan. The film also stars Vir Das, Mona Singh, Sharib Hashmi, and Srushti Tawade and is co-directed by Vir Das and Kavi Shastri.
