'Dabangg' Reham says marriage to Imran was a mistake

Reham Khan spoke about misogyny and how women can become champions of peace at the India Today Conclave 2016

Broadcaster, and politician Imran Khan's former wife, Reham Khan was in India to speak at the India Today Conclave 2016, about misogyny and how women can become champions of peace, reports India Today.

"I am a woman, I look like a woman, I behave like a woman. But people in Pakistan call me Dabangg like Sallu," said Reham Khan, referring to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who plays a cop as the lead role in his 2010 movie Dabangg.

PHOTO: INDIATODAY

Khan was speaking on the second day of the two-day India Today Conclave 2016, at the session, Line of Peace: Sisters Under the Skin Empowering Women across Borders.

Addressing the gathering, Reham said that she preferred to dress by keeping a white chadar (sheet of cloth) over her head since it was representative of the Pakhtun culture and the culture of Pakistan as well.

“I don’t dress up a certain way just because I married a man,” said the ex wife of former Pakistani cricketer and current chairman of PTI, Imran Khan.

PHOTO:IBN



Reham also spoke about how she mingled with the common people of Pakistan. “When I sit with them on the floor and eat Makai ki Roti, then it is easier for me to talk to them and tell them how they can further improve their lifestyle,” she said.

Addressing a question on her marriage to Imran, the former BBC journalist responded, "We all commit mistakes, and so did I. The world is changing, I did not marry each time for a certain status a man has. We might profess to be modern, but we still may not end up listening to the woman. One thing I'm really proud of is the way my son is raised, he's a 22-year-old boy who gives me immense pride."

Drawing an analogy from Kapoor & Sons, starring Fawad Khan, Alia Bhatt and Siddharth Malhotra, Reham notes how the movie is revolved around sons, and not daughters.

"Like India, in Pakistan as well we find Chandhary & Sons, when will there come a day, when we can boast of a Malik & daughters. These are the sublime messages our kids end up picking," said Reham.



Indian actor, activist and politician Gul Panag, spoke about how women on both sides of the border can become the champions of peace.

"We must use our shared history to unite us. Only when there is peace can societies grow. Our relationship is one that is older than the government and the states. The answer is people-to-people contact and culture. Women can be the peacemakers when it comes to people-to-people contact. We have tried SAARC, but that has not been of much use," said the AAP politician.

Further adding to the debate, Reham insisted that women should always speak up. "There is one thing that binds us together, which is the 'hushed silence'. We hide the reality of our homes," said Reham.