Twinkle Khanna recalls relocating to London with daughter Nitara, competing with her son Aarav for colleges: ‘We were horrified…’

She said, “Strangely, my son Aarav and I had applied to the same college since we were both studying liberal arts. When we found out we were accepted to the same university, we were horrified at the thought of being on campus together. We made a pact that we will pretend not to know each other and hang out with our respective friends. Luckily, he got his first choice and opted for that university.”

Transitioning into student life in her 50s presented its own set of challenges, particularly in the realm of socialising. Twinkle acknowledged the inherent difficulties of making friends at her age but credited her busy schedule with providing a sense of purpose and direction. Talking about the same, she said, “I knew a few people in London, but I didn’t know them that well. It meant, however, that I could leave my old habits behind. I decided to be a bit brazen about forming new friendships.”

She added, “I had a year to finish my course, so it was very hectic. I would start writing at 4.30 or 5am and then go to university. The volume of course submissions was high, and I didn’t have time to feel lonely because I had so much work to do. I felt exactly the way I did when I went to boarding school. It was very similar.”

Despite being occupied with work, Twinkle was worried if she would have to have lunch alone. But her problem was solved soon. “I was worried about who I would walk with in the corridors and who I would have lunch with. When the professor assigned three of us a presentation, we decided to have lunch together. We quickly became friends, and from then on, I never ate lunch alone again. I made a lot of new and good friends,” she said.