Kamal Ghorui
Former Indian cricket Shikhar Dhawan is much in the news lately– but because of his personal life. The ex-cricketer recently married his longtime girlfriend Sophie Shine in an intimate wedding, thus hitting the headlines.But, did you know that before Sophie, Shikhar was earlier married to Aesha Mukerji and he has a son, named Zoravar, with her? Shikhar and Aesha’s marriage didn’t survive the test of time and the duo parted ways in 2023, eight years after their marriage.
Behind his warm smile, Shikhar seems to hide a raw wound– of battling constant separation from son Zoravar, who is now in Australia. In 2023, a Delhi court granted Shikhar divorce on mental cruelty grounds but denied custody—only visitation rights via video calls and in-person meets with his son. And in an earlier chat on Ranveer Allahbadia’s Taakat podcast, Shikhar once spoke about his emotional pain of not being able to meet his son. From sending spiritual hugs to his son to selfless love and future wisdom, Shikar shared that he has no bitterness, just fatherly longing. His story shows that fame can’t buy family time. Here’s how he stays strong amid silence.
The brutal divorce verdict
Married for eight years, Shikhar and kickboxer Aesha split bitterly. In 2023 , a Delhi court ruling approved their divorce, calling Aesha guilty of mental cruelty. Zoravar stayed with his mom in Australia, while dad Shikhar got scheduled calls, India/Australia visits. He was denied permanent custody, which stung the deepest. Shikhar inked the pain via tattoos, poems, social posts—but legal walls between him and his son persist.
When Shikhar Dhawan spoke about his estranged son
Shikhar Dhawan, a star Indian cricketer, has opened out about his estranged connection with his son Zoravar following his divorce from Ayesha Mukherjee.
On Ranveer Allahbadia’s show, Shikhar bared his soul. Talking about the future advice he would like to give his son 20 years from now, he said, “After 20 years, my son will be 31-32 years old. I would tell him whatever you do be happy. And the way to be happy is to look inside yourself. Look at your shortcomings, recognise your strengths, and make them better.”Talking about how he copes with his grief of not being able to meet his son Zoravar, Shikhar said that he had a spiritual connection with him.. “Now I am in that situation where I can’t speak to my son, I don’t make it a big deal. I feel like I am talking to him spiritually… I am hugging him, giving him love,” he said. “I just want him to know that his father is always with him. When he will have the strength to come here and if he wants to be with me with his will and heart, I am always there for him. And of course as a father, any father will do this,” Shikhar added.In a 2024 Humans of Bombay interview, Shikhar had also shared that he sends daily messages to his son, regardless of whether he reads it or nots. “I miss him, I feel sad but I have learnt to live with it,” Shikhar had revealed.Recently remarried to Sophie Shine, Shikhar radiates peace—a proof that love expands, and doesn’t divide. Meanwhile, Shikhar embodies dignity: No legal wars, just open arms for son Zoravar.What’s your take on co-parenting post-divorce? Tell us in the comments below.
