Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announced their separation in a joint statement today, July 3. The couple has been married for 15 years.

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao issued a joint statement today, July 3, to announce their divorce after 15 years of marriage. Describing their divorce not as an end, but as the start of a new journey, Aamir and Kiran said that they will remain devoted parents to their son Azad. They also said that they will continue working on projects together. Aamir Khan had welcomed his second son, Azad Rao Khan with wife, Kiran Rao on December 5, 2011 via surrogacy.

AAMIR KHAN AND KIRAN RAO ANNOUNCE DIVORCE AFTER 15 YEARS

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 (sic).”

It further read, “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. 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 (sic).

HOW DID AAMIR KHAN AND KIRAN RAO MEET?

Aamir Khan met Kiran Rao while he was filming Lagaan 20 years ago. Kiran was one of the assistant directors of the film. Speaking to a Chinese news channel a few years ago, Aamir had said that he did not “have any relationship” with her at that time. “We were not even great friends,” he had said, adding that she was “one of the people on the unit.” It was after his divorce from his first wife Reena Dutta in 2002 that he met Kiran again.

“In that moment of trauma, her (Kiran Rao) phone came and I talked to her on the phone for half an hour. And when I put the phone down, I said, ‘My God! I feel so happy when I talk to her.’ It struck me in that instant that when I am talking to her I am so happy,” Aamir had said. Soon after, they started dating and months later, started living together.

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao got married on December 28, 2005.

AAMIR KHAN AND REENA DUTTA’S STORY

Before Kiran, Aamir Khan was married to Reena Dutta for 16 years. Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta may have ended their 16-year-long marriage in 2002, but it was not a bitter separation. They also have two children together, son Junaid Khan and daughter- Ira Khan.