Mumtaz on daughter Natasha Madhwani and Fardeen Khan's separation: Nothing serious, they haven't divorced but separated

Mumtaz on daughter Natasha Madhwani and Fardeen Khan's separation: Nothing serious, they haven't divorced but separated

Veteran actor Mumtaz has candidly spoken about the separation of her daughter, Natasha Madhwani, from actor Fardeen Khan. While the couple is reportedly living apart, Mumtaz is hopeful they will not go through with a legal divorce. She continues to hold affection and respect for Fardeen, whom she has known since his birth, and still regards him as part of the family.

“They are saying they are separating, but they still aren’t divorced. I love Fardeen a lot. He was born in front of me. They are still husband and wife,” said Mumtaz in a recent interview with the Times of India.

Her long-standing connection with the Khan family goes back decades, having starred opposite Fardeen’s father, the late Firoz Khan, in several films including Woh Koi Aur Hoga (1967), C.I.D. 909 (1967), Aag (1967), Mela (1971), Upaasna (1971), and Apradh (1972).

Mumtaz downplayed the seriousness of the separation, suggesting that disagreements are a part of any marriage. “Nothing serious has happened. Maybe they don’t get along anymore. Every marriage has ups and downs,” she remarked, noting that both Natasha and Fardeen are mature individuals and no longer heed her advice. “They are too old, and they don’t listen to me anymore,” she added.

Despite their current challenges, Mumtaz is not in favor of the couple taking the final step of divorce.

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She stressed on the importance of staying together for the sake of their children. “They should not divorce. They have kids. Even if they divorce, they won’t be separated due to their kids,” she said, highlighting Fardeen’s role as a devoted father.

She praised him for adjusting his film schedules to be present for their children and noted that he continues to treat her with great respect.

The couple, who have been together for nearly two decades, faced significant challenges in their journey to parenthood. Fardeen had previously opened up about their struggles with fertility, which led them to seek treatment in London.

They eventually became parents to daughter Diani and son Azarius through IVF. “I wish I hadn’t taken such a long break from work. The only brownie point is that I have two beautiful children with whom I could spend so much time,” Fardeen had shared with Times of India.

In addition to personal hurdles, Fardeen has publicly addressed his battle with alcohol addiction. In 2020, he made the decision to quit drinking altogether. Speaking on Cyrus Broacha’s podcast, he said, “I was at a stage where I just didn’t feel myself. I became sober in 2020 and I stopped alcohol in one go. I needed to stop, it was interfering with my life. I took professional help to stop and it was the best decision I have made in my life. I started drinking very, very young so this was the first time the brain fog lifted.”

Fardeen has also taken multiple sabbaticals from acting, one notably following the death of his father, Firoz Khan, in 2009. The loss had a deep emotional impact on him. “I needed time for closure,” he once said. He returned to films recently, and appeared in Tarun Mansukhani’s ensemble comedy Housefull 5, marking a new chapter in his professional life.

While the future of Fardeen and Natasha’s relationship remains uncertain, Mumtaz’s words reflect the complex emotions of a mother who still believes in the sanctity of marriage and the enduring bond of family.