MUMBAI — Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and producer-director Kiran Rao have announced that they are separating after 15 years of marriage. In a statement, they said they would raise their son together and still work on joint projects.

"In these 15 beautiful years together we have shared a lifetime of experiences, joy and laughter," the statement said. Aamir, 56, and Kiran, 47, first met in 2001, and married four years later.

They said they wanted to "begin a new chapter in our lives — no longer as husband and wife, but as co-parents and family for each other". They added that their relationship had "only grown in trust, respect and love".

Aamir and Kiran, who recently announced separation, have spoken about the end of their marriage. The duo revealed the news on Saturday. They spoke to their fans in Hindi in a video shared on the YouTube page of Paani Foundation. It is a non-profit founded by Aamir, Kiran and the team behind the Satyamev Jayate show.

Aamir began by saying that the news must have come as a shock and dismay for many. “We just want to say that we both are extremely happy and are still one family.

“Our relationship has changed but we are still together in a way. And Paani Foundation is like Azad, our kid. So we will always stay together as a family. Pray for our happiness. That’s all we wanted to say,” said the Lagaan actor.

“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,” Kiran and Aamir had said in a joint statement.

During his career spanning nearly five decades, Aamir has established himself as one of the most popular Bollywood actors, with a large following in India and abroad, especially in China.

Aamir had previously been married to Reena Dutta, with whom he has two children, and whom de divorced in 2002. Kiran and Aamir got married on Dec. 28, 2005.

They have together produced acclaimed and commercially successful films like Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Peepli Live, Dhobi Ghat, Delhi Belly, Talaash, Dangal, among others.

The statement continued, “We began a planned separation some time ago, and now feel comfortable to formalize 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.”

On the work front, Aamir will be next seen in "Laal Singh Chadha", an official Hindi remake of Tom Hanks' acclaimed "Forrest Gump". The film is being produced by Kiran, who has also backed several other films featuring Khan. — Agencies