Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and producer-director Kiran Rao on Saturday announced their decision to get divorced after 15 years of marriage and 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.
Khan, 56, and Rao, 47, tied the knot in December 2005. They welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan in December 2011.
But who was Kiran Rao before marrying Aamir Khan?
Kiran Rao is a food science graduate from Mumbai’s Sophia College for Women. She later pursued her masters from AJK Mass Communication Research Center at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Rao ventured into films by assisting director Ashutosh Gowariker for the 2001 film “Lagaan” which was also produced by Aamir Khan, the lead star.
She also turned assistant director for Gowarikar for the 2004 film “Swades: We, the People” starring Shah Rukh Khan.
However very few are aware that Kiran had a small cameo in Aamir’s 2001 film “Dil Chahta Hai”. According to reports, it was speculated that Rao was dating Khan during this time.
Aamir first marriage was with Reena Dutta in 1986. They have two children - son Junaid and daughter Ira.
In 2002, Khan filed for divorce and Dutta took custody of both the kids. This was a year after Kiran’s cameo.
In 2005, Aamir tied the knot with Kiran Rao and had a son Azad in 2011 via surrogacy.
Not to mention, Kiran is also the first cousin of actress Aditi Rao Hydari.
In their 15 years of marriage, Kiran made her directorial debut with “Dhobi Ghat” starring the actor.
She also served as a producer under Aamir Khan Productions and bankrolled films such as "Talaash", "Dangal", and "Secret Superstar" to name a few.
