Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announce divorce after being together for 15 years

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao. File pic/Shadab Khan

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, who had been together for almost 15 years, have announced their separation in a joint statement on Saturday. In the statement, they said they were ready to start a new chapter as "co-parents and family for each other". They will continue to work as collaborators on movies, their NGO Paani Foundation and other professional projects, the couple said in a joint statement.

The statement that was released on Saturday morning 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 formalise this arrangement, of living separately yet sharing our lives the way an extended family does.

The statement further read, "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," the statement concluded.

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Aamir Khan, 56, and Kiran Rao, 47, first met on the sets of the actor's 2001 blockbuster movie 'Lagaan' and got married in December 2005. They welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan in December 2011. The actor was previously married to Reena Dutta. They have two children -- son Junaid Khan and daughter Ira Khan. On the work front, Khan will be next seen in 'Laal Singh Chadha', an official Hindi remake of Tom Hanks' acclaimed movie 'Forrest Gump'. The film is being produced by Rao, who has also backed several others films, including 'Dangal' and 'Secret Superstar'.

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