Indian actor Aamir Khan confirms divorce from wife of 15 years Kiran Rao

Aamir and Kiran have separated (Picture: Prodip Guha/Getty Images)

Indian actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao are divorcing after 15 years of marriage.

Khan, 56, and Rao, 47, confirmed the news in a joint statement, saying that they would remain ‘devoted parents’ to their nine-year-old son Azad.

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.

‘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. Thanks and love, Kiran and Aamir.’

Actor Khan met director and producer Rao, who was assistant director to Ashutosh Gowariker, on the set of the Oscar-nominated film Lagaan in 2001, and got married four years later.

The couple met on the set of Lagaan (Picture: Yogen Shah/The India Today Group via Getty Images)

In 2011, they announced that they had welcomed a son, Azad, via surrogate.

Khan is father to two older children, Junaid and Ira, from his first marriage to Reena Dutta, which lasted from 1986 until 2002.

Khan and Rao lived in Bandra together, and the actor turned vegan at his wife’s request.

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The pair established the non-profit organisation the Paani Foundation in 2016, which works in drought prevention and watershed management in Maharashtra, India.

Khan is one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema, having starred in around 60 titles in his 30 year career including Raakh, Dil, Lagaan, Raja Hindustani, Dangal and Dil Chahta Hai.

Rao has worked on hits including Lagaan and Monsoon Wedding, and directed her first film, Dhobi Ghat, in 2011.

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