What’s more precious than your own child? Imran Ashraf talks being a single father

Actor says raising a ‘lovely son’ like Roham isn’t hard 

In a candid interview, Pakistani actor Imran Ashraf of Ranjha Ranjha Kardi fame recently opened up about being a single father. The renowned celeb, who was formerly married to actor and model Kiran Ashfaque, said that despite personal challenges, he has a positive relationship with his ex-wife.

During a recent appearance on the talk show Khabar, Imran was asked about raising his son in today’s world, to which he responded by sharing his approach of making his son a central part of his life, including bringing Roham to film sets. This has fostered a strong bond between them, and Imran described the experience of caring for his son as natural and fulfilling.

“He meets his mother when he wants to, of course. This is a very distressing situation which is being handled with love. My son is very happy on account of both his parents. He is my prince,” Imran beamed. “All I’ll say is that this (raising a child) isn’t hard. What’s more precious than your own child?”

The actor furthered on, “God has given me everything I have ever asked for. Even my career. So when you have such a lovely child like I do, what more could I ask for?”

Imran emphasised that both of them remain committed to co-parenting their son, Roham. As per the actor, his primary focus is on ensuring that Roham grows up with a healthy perspective on both his parents. He highlighted his dedication to being a good father, stating, “I answer all of Roham’s questions with honesty, show him affection and care, and avoid any behavior that could be harmful or unethical.”

Imran and Kiran announced their separation in October 2022 after four years of marriage. In their public statement, they expressed their intention to co-parent Roham and requested privacy during the difficult transition. Despite the end of their marital relationship, their mutual respect and commitment to their son remain evident.

Known for his iconic roles in Pakistani dramas, the actor has steadily built a name with his acting prowess. Recently, Imran was seen in the riveting thriller Namak Haram. He discussed his latest venture in a candid BBC Urdu interview last year where he reflected on the project’s premise. Imran expressed his initial intrigue upon hearing the drama’s title and the compelling storyline that further captivated his interest.

He dove into the backstory of his collaboration with writer Saqlain Mushtaq and director Shakeel Khan, highlighting their synergy in bringing forth a narrative that sheds light on societal issues. His character as a home-maid underscores the struggles and injustices faced by domestic workers, exposing the darker facets of our society.

The actor stressed the importance of messaging in storytelling, asserting that Namak Haram conveys a powerful message about the consequences of exploiting others. He urged viewers not to solely perceive the drama as a reflection of reality but to immerse themselves in the crafted narrative, akin to experiencing a character from a Netflix series, emphasising, “It’s a story created by my writer and director, and I am part of it.”

When questioned about the pressure stemming from the colossal success of his previous character, Bhola, Imran responds with a profound analogy, likening the pressures actors face to the necessity of every breath. He stresses the constant learning process and the need to immerse oneself fully into a new character to do it justice.

He likened the necessity of delving into a new character to the vital need for every breath, stating, “One who thinks he knows all doesn’t feel pressure, and I am still learning.” Imran underlined the significance of wholly embodying a character to do it justice, relying on his director for guidance in crafting nuances specific to each role.