Atiqa Odho says son became her biggest supporter while family resisted third marriage

Veteran Pakistani actor Atiqa Odho has revealed that it was her son Bilal who encouraged her to marry for the third time, even as her mother and daughters strongly opposed the decision.

Speaking during a recent interview while discussing the drama serial Kafeel, Odho said she found similarities between her son and one of the show’s characters, prompting her to reflect on a deeply personal chapter of her life.

Recalling the period after the end of her second marriage, Odho said Bilal played a major role in persuading her to move forward and marry Samar Ali Khan.

“When I was alone and hadn’t married Samar Ali Khan, my son came to me and said, ‘You should marry him,’” she shared. “It was my son who encouraged me to marry for the third time.”

According to Odho, her mother was firmly against the idea and worried about public reaction. “My mother also said that people would make fun of me for getting married again,” she recalled.

But Bilal saw things differently. “My son said, ‘It’s better that you get married because you’ve seen many ups and downs, and you’ve been alone for a long time.’”

Odho further revealed that her son openly supported Khan and believed he genuinely cared for her. “My son said, ‘I really hope you settle down with him. He is a very good man, and he truly loves you, so you should marry him.’”

The actress admitted she still hesitated because her daughters were not on board with the marriage. “Then I said, ‘But what about your sisters? Because my daughters are very fiery,’” she said with a laugh.

Bilal, however, volunteered to handle the situation himself. “My son said, ‘Don’t worry, I will help.’ So Bilal took it upon himself to convince his sisters.”

Odho also reflected on her earlier marriages, revealing that her first marriage took place when she was just 15 years old and lasted a decade. She said her second marriage, despite being a personal choice, also eventually failed.

She later married Samar Ali Khan in 2012. Khan subsequently served as a member of the Sindh Assembly from 2013 to 2018.