Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and filmmaker Kiran Rao have announced their divorce after 15 years of being married, in a joint statement issued by the couple this morning. They recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. The couple said that they had been planning to separate for quite some time now but they will continue to remain friends and co parents to their son, Azad. The statement also said that professionally, they will continue to work together to run their “Paani Foundation”.

The statement read, “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. 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 formalize this arrangement, of living separately yet sharing our lives the way an extended family does. 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. 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. We request our 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. Thanks and love, Kiran and Aamir.”

 

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao met each other during the shoot of Lagaan, in which he was playing the lead role while she was working as the assistant director. They got married on December 28, 2005. The actor was previously married to Reena Dutta, with whom he has 2 children, Junaid Khan and Ira Khan.