Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and his filmmaker wife Kiran Rao have announced their divorce in a joint statement, after 15 years of marriage. 

The pair said in a statement to the media, “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.”

Also Read | Who is Kiran Rao?

Aamir and Kiran split “some time ago,” according to the statement, and while living apart, the pair will “nurture and raise” their son Azad Rao Khan together. 

“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,” the statement said.

The pair stated that they will continue to co-parent their son, Azad Rao Khan, as well as work together on the Paani Foundation and “other projects that (they) are passionate about.”

“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,” the rest of their statement read.

Also Read | Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao: A timeline of a 15-year long lovestory

Aamir and Kiran met on the set of Lagaan, where he played the lead and she worked as an assistant director. On December 28, 2005, the couple married. Aamir was earlier married to Reena Dutta, with whom he had two children, Junaid Khan and Ira Khan.

The pair had celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary just last year with their son Azad, and the actor’s daughter Ira Khan at Gir National Park.