Shehzad Khan
The personal life of veteran Bollywood actor Ajit Khan—popularly known for his iconic villain roles—has resurfaced in headlines after his son Shehzad Khan made startling revelations about the late star’s secret second family in Hyderabad.
Ajit, best remembered for his role as “Lion” in Kalicharan, led a fascinating yet complicated life off-screen. The actor, who passed away in 1988 at the age of 76, was married three times. While his professional journey earned him fame and recognition, his personal relationships remained layered with secrets, compromises, and emotional complexities.
In a candid conversation, Shehzad Khan opened up about his father’s multiple marriages and the hidden truths that shaped their family dynamics. According to him, Ajit’s first marriage was a love union with Gwen, an Anglo-Indian woman. However, their relationship did not last, primarily due to their inability to have children—something that carried significant social pressure at the time.
Faced with the expectation of continuing the family lineage, Ajit’s family arranged his second marriage with his cousin, Shahida. This marriage resulted in three sons—Shahid Ali Khan, Zahid Ali Khan, and Abid Ali Khan. Despite this, Ajit later fell in love again and married Sarah, who became his third wife and the mother of Shehzad.
What makes the story particularly striking is that Ajit allegedly kept his second marriage a secret from Sarah for years. As revealed by Shehzad, his father never disclosed the existence of his second wife and children before marrying Sarah. The second family was reportedly living in Hyderabad, away from the public eye and even from Sarah’s knowledge.
“She had no idea,” Shehzad shared, adding that his mother was significantly younger than his father—about 25 years his junior. “Had she known about his second marriage, she would have never married him.” The truth only came to light after Shehzad was born, leaving his mother shocked and heartbroken.
Despite the revelation, Sarah chose to stay in the marriage, reflecting the societal norms and expectations placed on women during that era. “My mom compromised, like many women did back then,” Shehzad said, expressing both empathy and pain over her decision.
Interestingly, while Ajit concealed his second marriage from Sarah, he did maintain cordial relations with his first wife Gwen, even introducing her to Sarah at one point. Gwen had moved to London after their separation, but the two reportedly remained on good terms.
Shehzad also highlighted how his father tried to balance both families, frequently traveling between Mumbai and Hyderabad. However, he believes that the distribution of assets was unfair. According to him, Ajit invested heavily in properties in Hyderabad, which are now controlled by his stepbrothers, leaving little for Shehzad and his immediate family.
“There should have been an equal division,” Shehzad remarked, expressing disappointment over the situation. He also revealed that he currently has no relationship with his stepbrothers and remains completely disconnected from that side of the family.
While reflecting on his father’s life, Shehzad acknowledged that Ajit may have made several mistakes in his personal relationships. Yet, he emphasized that despite everything, Ajit remained an important figure in his life. “He may have erred once, twice, or even thrice—but he was still our father,” he said.
Ajit’s story sheds light on the complexities of personal lives behind the glamorous world of cinema. It also reflects the societal pressures and norms of a different era, where family expectations often dictated personal decisions, sometimes leading to lifelong consequences.
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