Avantika Malik, the ex-wife of actor Imran Khan, has recently opened up about the difficulties she faced during their separation in 2019. In a candid conversation, she confessed that walking away from the marriage was an arduous decision, primarily due to her emotional nature and a deep-seated desire to make the relationship work, stemming from her own parents' divorce.

Avantika revealed that she would have found it "very difficult to walk away and say, 'This is it.'" She attributed this to being an "extremely emotional" person. Furthermore, the fact that her parents' marriage had ended influenced her. She admitted to feeling immense pressure to ensure her own marriage succeeded, explaining, "I was too adamant that what was my reality as a child could not be my reality as an adult. That fear was too deep to walk away."

The couple, who had been dating since 2002, tied the knot in 2011 and welcomed their daughter, Imara Malik Khan, in 2014. Their separation after eight years of marriage came as a shock to many. Avantika described the experience of moving out of Imran's house with their daughter as "deeply painful," stating, "It was very hard. It was the worst thing I had to go through. You just don't know anything anymore."

Avantika has previously spoken about feeling immense emotional dependence on Imran, even to the point of believing she wouldn't survive without him. She described a sense of co-dependency, admitting that she didn't know how to handle tasks like booking flight tickets on her own. She felt like a "half-human" and lacked confidence. She recalled that when they decided to separate, she "wept like there had been a death in the immediate family," feeling "petrified" about the future.

In an earlier interview, Avantika shared that she was convinced she couldn't survive without Imran, confessing to being financially dependent and not knowing how to handle various tasks on her own. She reflected on her own parents' divorce and acknowledged that she might have projected her childhood issues onto her marriage with Imran. She admitted that she might have "daddy issues" that colored her perception of men and relationships.

Despite the emotional challenges, Avantika has emphasized the importance of co-parenting their daughter, Imara. She recounted that Imara had many questions following their separation, including concerns about getting a new mother. Avantika reassured her that she would still have both parents in her life, and they have maintained a consistent routine with joint custody.

Avantika has credited therapy and spirituality for helping her heal and find perspective after the divorce. She described 2019, the year of their separation, as a time when she felt "broken" and "unraveled." However, she also acknowledged that it was a time of significant personal change. Looking back, Avantika highlighted the importance of holding on to hope, even in the darkest moments, and of choosing love over bitterness.

Imran Khan has also spoken about the reasons for their split, stating that they "were not supporting or empowering each other to be the healthiest version of ourselves." He explained that long-term relationships that begin early in life can develop interpersonal patterns that may not evolve as individuals grow.

Currently, Imran Khan is in a relationship with actress Lekha Washington, while Avantika Malik is open to the idea of finding love again but is unsure about marriage. Both have expressed a commitment to co-parenting their daughter and creating a supportive environment for her.