Superstar Aamir Khan and producer-director Kiran Rao on Saturday announced their decision to get divorced after 15 years of marriage, saying they were ready to start a new chapter as "co-parents and family for each other".
Aamir first met Kiran on the sets of his 2001 blockbuster movie "Lagaan" and got married in December 2005. They welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan via surrogacy in December 2011.
In 2013, Rao was quoted by Calcutta Times stating that the two liked each other's company and were in a live-in relationship for a year.
She said, “We hung out a lot together and became 2 am friends. We started seeing each other in 2004.”
Although neither of the two were hung up on marriage, Rao added that it was important since people didn't know how to treat her just as his "girlfriend."
She said, "For instance if you go to an event as a wife, you are treated a certain way but as a partner, they don't know what to do with you."
Not to mention, Khan who enjoyed eating fish, chicken, meat and eggs turned Vegan after he was prompted by a video that Kiran showed him.
Khan, the star of acclaimed films such as "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak", "Sarfarosh", "3 Idiots", "Talaash" and "Dangal", was previously married to Reena Dutta. They have two children -- son Junaid Khan and daughter Ira Khan.
Meanwhile, Aamir and Kiran will continue to work as collaborators on movies, their NGO Paani Foundation and other professional projects, the couple said in a joint statement.
"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 read.
Khan and Rao said they will remain devoted parents to our son Azad, who they will nurture and raise together.
"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."
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".
