Aamir Khan reacts to ‘love jihad’ allegations over 3 marriages; says ‘neither Gauri, Kiran nor Reena converted’

Aamir Khan married Gauri Spratt earlier this month, marking his third marriage. However, the wedding has sparked outrage from people across religious groups. While Hindutva organisations have accused the actor of “love jihad” for marrying Hindu women, a Muslim cleric has criticised him for marrying outside his faith. Amid the backlash, one can only say that Aamir and Gauri are two consenting adults who legally chose to marry each other.

For the unversed, Aamir and Gauri tied the knot on July 5 through a registered ceremony under the Special Marriage Act. The private wedding was held at the actor’s Mumbai residence in the presence of their children, family members and close friends.

Aamir was earlier issued a fatwa for marrying outside his religion. Adding to the ongoing controversy, Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, the head of Tapasvi Chhawani in Ayodhya, recently announced that he would give Rs 5 crore to anyone who killed the actor. He also claimed he would cover the attacker’s legal expenses and hand over the reward to their family.

Paramhans made the threat while supporting Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane, who had labelled Aamir the “brand ambassador of love jihad”. Bajrang Dal workers had earlier protested against the wedding, burned the actor’s effigy and accused him of deliberately marrying Hindu women.

Amid the outrage and hate, Aamir clarified that his wife, Gauri Spratt, is not Hindu but Christian, and that none of his wives ever converted their religion. In an interview with Rediffthe actor also responded to being called the “brand ambassador of love jihad”.

He said, “The truth is that ours is a very inclusive family. Both my sisters are married to Hindus; my daughter is also married to a Hindu. My cousin Mansoor is married to a Christian.” He further added, “Neither Gauri, Kiran nor Reena converted their religion, as we had civil marriages. Gauri is not even Hindu, she is Christian, and not even a practising Christian at that. Life is getting more comical as time passes.”

Following his marriage, Aamir also made headlines after reports claimed he had purchased additional apartments in Mumbai’s Marina Apartments, which is currently undergoing redevelopment. Several reports suggested that the actor was planning to live in the redeveloped building with his current wife while also ensuring that his former wives, children and close family members had homes in the same complex.

Addressing the speculation, Aamir clarified that the redevelopment is a collective decision taken by the housing society. “Our apartment complex is going in for redevelopment, like the rest of Bombay. All old buildings in Bombay are going in for redevelopment. It is a decision taken by our housing society, which has 24 members. It involves a builder who has bought, and therefore owns, the bulk of the building. I am one of the members,” he said.

About Aamir Khan’s weddings

Aamir was first married to Reena Dutta, with whom he shares two children, Junaid Khan and Ira Khan. The couple divorced after 16 years of marriage. In 2005, he married filmmaker Kiran Rao. They announced their separation in 2021 but continue to co-parent their son, Azad. Earlier this month, Aamir married Bengaluru-based Gauri Spratt, whom he had introduced to the media on his 60th birthday.