the actor Imran Khan Might be away from movies for a while, but fans are waiting to see him back on screen. He continues to keep people updated about his life on social media and has also established a major inspiration as a single father. Imran and Avantika Malik separated in 2024 and they have been co-parenting their daughter ever since. In an earlier interview with ETimes, Imran spoke about his bond with his daughter Imara and called her his ‘lighthouse’ amid all the personal struggles he went through during the divorce. The actor has been dating Sic Washington for a while now and in a recent interview, he talked about how he introduced his daughter to his girlfriend. Imran revealed that since writing was a part of their lives even before they started dating, the transition was easy, but he still believes it’s important to be upfront with Imra about changes in their relationship. He said in an interview with Hindustan Times, “Sikta and I knew each other before we started dating and so did Imara. It changed the context of the relationship and I wanted her to know when it happened. It’s part of being transparent. It’s unhealthy to try to hide something from a child. That’s not how you build a healthy relationship.”For the actor, honesty and leading by example are central to parenting. Instead of simply dictating to children how to behave, she believes parents should model the values ​​they want to instill. “Kids do what you do and not what you say. So I want to live my life in a way where I’m setting a healthy example for them. It’s important to talk to children like they’re rational, thinking creatures and not treat them as small.”As Imra grew up, Imran says their relationship evolved naturally. With a laugh, she admits that she’s no longer the “cool” parent around her friends. “We got to a point where I was cool in front of his friends; I still shout ‘I love you’, but I’m not cool enough to hang out with his friends,” she laughs.Fatherhood also reshaped the way Emraan approached film and storytelling. Watching children’s content alongside her daughter made her more aware of how women are portrayed on screen. “I started seeing the world through her lens. When I watch cartoons or movies with her, I realize I don’t like how female characters are being portrayed. The misogyny is reinforced. This prompted me to start looking for positive female representation in my films as well,” she admits.The 43-year-old also shared that he deliberately kept Imara out of the spotlight for most of her childhood. It wasn’t until he saw strangers approaching him that he explained why people recognized him. “I kept him away for the most part. People would react to me and at one point he asked me, ‘Why do people keep taking pictures with you?’ Then I had to convince him that I had acted in some movies and people remembered me from there. I haven’t shown him any of my films, for which I am still greeted by outsiders.”Technology is another area where Imran believes moderation is essential. She said she introduced clear boundaries around digital devices for her daughter. “I’m fairly conservative about technology adoption. Not just kids, everyone is online today. So, I’ve laid out guidelines for technology adoption for Imara.”Away from the public eye, the father-daughter duo enjoy simple moments together, from rollerblading to hair care. Imran admits that learning to manage his daughter’s long hair is an experience in itself.“I don’t have hair like hers,” the actor adds with a laugh, “Learning to shampoo, condition her hair and blow-dry was something I had to learn by doing. I started with ugly plaits which were embarrassing. But I’m fine now. It’s been quite a journey.”
