After 15 years of togetherness, actor Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao on Saturday announced their separation.
The actor married Kiran Rao in 2005 and they welcomed their son Azad in 2011.
Aamir Khan came in touch with Kiran Rao on the sets of the film Lagaan, which was nominated for Oscar.
Kiran worked as an assistant director in Lagaan.
“In these 15 beautiful years together we have shared a lifetime of experiences, joy and laughter, and our relationship has only grown in trust, respect and love,” they said in a joint statement.
“Now we would like to begin a new chapter in our lives – no longer as husband and wife, but as co-parents and family for each other.”
“We began a planned separation some time ago, and now feel comfortable to formalise this arrangement, of living separately yet sharing our lives the way an extended family does,” they added.
“We remain devoted parents to our son Azad, who we will nurture and raise together. We will also continue to work as collaborators on films, Paani Foundation, and other projects that we feel passionate about.”
They have thanked their families and friends for extending support and understanding their relationship.
“A big thank you to our families and friends for their constant support and understanding about this evolution in our relationship, and without whom we would not have been so secure in taking this leap,” the statement said.
They have requested their well-wishers for “good wishes and blessings, and hope that – like us – you will see this divorce not as an end, but as the start of a new journey”.
Aamir Khan has a daughter named Ira Khan and a son named Junaid from his first wife Reena Dutta.
Junaid often assists his father Aamir Khan in filmmaking while Ira has studied music, says a media report.
Ira Khan is an avid social media user and often drops adorable pictures or videos, says another report.
Ira Khan recently made her relationship official with her boyfriend, fitness trainer Nupur Shikhare on Instagram.