Why do separations have to be painful? Why are they always looked at as something bad? Because from what I understand they can very well signify growth and the starting of a new chapter. Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao just gave us an example of the same when they shared that they are parting ways after 15 years of marriage.
“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,” their joint statement reads. Well, as the two embark on a new journey in their lives, let’s quickly take a look at their relationship timeline:
Pehli Mulakat
It was back in 2001, during the making of Ashutosh Gowariker’s film Lagaan that Aamir first met Kiran for the first time. She was working as an Assistant Director for the film. However, Aamir was still married to his first wife Reena Dutta and the two were nothing more than just acquaintances back then.
“Kiran was one of the ADs (assistant directors) on that but at that time, we didn’t have any relationship, we were not even great friends. She was one of the people on the unit. It was after my separation and divorce after some time that I met her again,” Aamir had shared in an old interview.
The Beginning Of A Love Story
Aamir had been married to Reena for 16 years before the marriage fell apart and they decided to call it quits in 2002. It was during his Koffee With Karan interview that Aamir had shared how traumatic the divorce was for him. He said “Reena and I were married for 16 long years. When we split up, it was traumatic for us and our families. We tried to deal with the situation as best as we could. Reena and I did not lose love or respect for each other post our split.” It was a very stressful time for Aamir and it is during this phase that he reconnected with Kiran.
Aamir further added, “In that moment of trauma, her (Kiran’s) 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.” In Kiran, he had found love again.
Wedding Bells
After dating each other for 3 years, the two finally tied the knot on December 28, 2005, at Aamir’s farmhouse in Panchgani. It was an intimate affair with just their close friends and family in attendance.
The Arrival Of Little Azad Rao Khan
Six years after their wedding, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan through surrogacy in 2011. The actor already has a daughter and son (Ira and Junaid) from his first marriage.
A New Chapter
Kiran and Aamir have shared that they will continue their creative and other projects in collaboration. Instead of treating the situation as a setback, the two are looking at it as an “evolution.” and a new beginning. the two still plan to share their lives as “extended families” and devoted parents to their son Azad, who they plan to “nurture and raise together.”
Their statement further reads, “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.”
Well, we are in awe of the graceful statement and Aamir and Kiran’s positive outlook on the situation. Sending best wishes to them for the new life ahead.
Featured Image: Instagram
