‘Maybe we have moved on…’: Aamir Khan on respecting and cherishing ex-wives Kiran Rao and Reena Dutta post divorce; can respect and positivity coexist?

He added, “We did go through a divorce, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a lot of respect and love for each other. So maybe we have moved on in our relationship, but I have the highest regard for both Kiran and Reena and their families. In fact, I am close to mummy and daddy. Reena’s daddy died recently. I’m very close to their families.”

Maintaining such amicable relationships post-divorce is not only beneficial for personal well-being but also crucial when children are involved. However, achieving this requires conscious effort, effective communication, and mutual respect.

So, what strategies can individuals employ to maintain respectful and positive relationships with their ex-spouses after divorce?

Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing tells indianexpress.com, “If the divorce was amicable, rooted in mutual understanding rather than betrayal or deep resentment, transitioning into a cordial dynamic is more feasible. But for some, expecting a friendship or even consistent positivity may be unrealistic, especially if unresolved pain lingers. In such cases, respect can simply mean keeping a neutral stance — avoiding hostility, setting clear boundaries, and allowing both individuals the space to heal without forcing interaction.”

 

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The key is to acknowledge that the relationship has fundamentally changed and to redefine what ‘respect’ looks like post-divorce, she adds. “Some may find a way to co-exist with warmth, particularly when co-parenting, while others may need distance to truly move on. What matters is whether maintaining contact serves one’s healing and personal growth or hinders it. For some, the healthiest form of respect is learning to walk away with grace rather than trying to hold onto something that no longer fits,” mentions Baruah. 

Challenges and how to overcome them

Staying amicable with an ex-partner is deeply personal and depends on the emotional residue left by the relationship. For some, it may be possible to transition into a neutral or even positive dynamic, while for others, every interaction feels like a repetition of unresolved conflicts. Divorce doesn’t erase the emotional patterns that existed in the relationship — if anything, it can magnify them. Resentment, guilt, or a lingering sense of rejection may surface in unexpected ways, making even routine conversations feel charged.

“The challenge is not just external (how the two people interact) but also internal—how each person makes sense of the loss. If the divorce shook one’s identity or beliefs about love, trust, or self-worth, then post-divorce interactions can feel like emotional landmines. Overcoming this requires acceptance of ambiguity — that not all relationships will end with clarity or fairness, and that the presence of lingering emotions doesn’t mean one has to act on them,” explains Baruah.