SerpApi.Org
Actor Eva Grover has spoken candidly about her marriage to Hyder Ali Khan, Aamir Khan's stepbrother, alleging that he was physically abusive, struggled with schizophrenia, and is now living in difficult circumstances without a permanent home.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, the Karishma Kaa Karishma, Shararat and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain actor reflected on their five-year marriage, claiming she was unaware of Hyder's mental health condition before they tied the knot.
Grover said she met Hyder through a mutual friend, and he proposed to her within just 18 days. The couple eloped in 2000 as her mother did not approve of their interfaith relationship. According to Grover, she only began noticing changes in his behaviour after the wedding.
"He had schizophrenia. At that time, I didn't really understand what schizophrenia meant. As I later learned after reading a lot about the condition, a person can appear completely normal on the outside while struggling with serious mental health issues internally. During the 18 days I spent with him, I saw only the polite and well-behaved side," she said.
Grover alleged that the first instance of physical violence occurred on the third day of their marriage.
"There used to be bruises. I would be shaken. My father-in-law and mother-in-law tried to make him understand. They even cried in front of him, asking why he was behaving like this," she claimed.
She further alleged that Hyder became increasingly suspicious, often imagining situations that did not exist, and that excessive alcohol consumption worsened his condition.
Speaking about Aamir Khan, Grover claimed the actor was aware of the abuse she faced.
"I had heard that Aamir sir had said I had not taken the right decision. That message had reached me before my marriage through other sources, but I didn't pay attention. Aamir Khan sir didn't want to have any relationship with this family," she said.
Grover said she stayed in the marriage for five years, hoping things would improve. After the birth of their daughter, she filed for divorce but lost custody to Hyder and his family.
"I endured physical abuse for five years. My daughter wasn't with me. I didn't see her for 10 years. I quietly sent money every month for her education. She is 19 now and visits me once or twice a week," she said.
Despite everything, Grover said she feels compassion for her former husband and worries about his current condition.
"Today, Hyder is not in a good condition. He has no house and struggles even for food. Sometimes someone lets him stay in a chawl, sometimes a friend helps him. I feel sad. Whatever happened, happened, but from a humanitarian point of view, he was once my husband. He is surrounded by people who keep giving him alcohol. There is no one to look after him," she said.
Hyder Ali Khan is the son of Shehnaz Khan from her first marriage. He was raised by filmmaker Tahir Hussain, Aamir Khan's father, but is not Tahir Hussain's biological son. Before entering films, Hyder worked as a cabin crew member with Qatar Airways.
Neither Hyder Ali Khan nor Aamir Khan has publicly responded to Grover's claims at the time of writing.
