Aamir Khan has recently addressed the long-standing question of why his children, Junaid, Ira, and Azad, bear names that are often perceived as Islamic, despite the fact that both his former wives, Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, are Hindu.
In a recent interview, Aamir Khan clarified that he had very little say in the naming of his children. He revealed that the names were chosen by his wives. His first wife, Reena Dutta, selected the names Junaid and Ira. Aamir pointed out that the name Ira is, in fact, another name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Reena found the name "Ira," derived from "Irawati," in Maneka Gandhi's book, "The Penguin Book of Hindu Names," and liked it.
Aamir's second wife, Kiran Rao, named their son Azad. She chose the name to honor Maulana Azad, a prominent freedom fighter who played a significant role in India's independence movement, working alongside leaders like Nehru, Gandhi, and Patel. Aamir also emphasized that "Azad" is not exclusively a Muslim name, citing the example of Chandrashekhar Azad, the revolutionary. He stated that Azad is a neutral name that doesn't belong to any one religion.
Aamir lightheartedly mentioned that husbands generally don't have much say in naming their children; it's usually the wife's decision. He also highlighted that his family reflects secular India, with his sisters and daughter married to Hindu men. His sister, Nikhat Khan, is married to Santosh Hegde, and his other sister, Farhat, is married to Rajeev Dutta. His daughter, Ira Khan, recently tied the knot with Nupur Shikhare.
Aamir himself has been married to two Hindu women: Reena Dutta, whom he married in 1986, and Kiran Rao, whom he married in 2005. He emphasized that he is proud to be both a Muslim and an Indian, and that these two identities are not mutually exclusive.
In the same interview, Aamir Khan also addressed allegations that his film "PK" was anti-religious and promoted "love jihad." He clarified that the film was not intended to disrespect any religion but aimed to caution people against those who exploit religion for financial gain. He further said that love between people of different religions is about humanity and not always "love jihad."
Aamir Khan's statements provide context to his family's naming choices and his views on religious tolerance and harmony.