From Reena to Kiran, Aamir Khan's 'traumatic' to 'planned' separations

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and his wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao, have announced their divorce in a statement issued to the press on Saturday. The couple has announced an amicable separation after 15 years of togetherness. This was not the case when Aamir parted ways with his first wife Reena Dutta as he admitted that they went through a 'traumatic' divorce after 16 years of marriage.

Hyderabad: Superstar Aamir Khan and his filmmaker wife Kiran Rao have parted ways after 15 years of marriage. Aamir's marriage with his former wife Reena Dutta too lasted for a year longer than his marital relationship with Kiran. The only difference between the two marriages that met with the same finale is the manner in which Aamir and his former wives dealt with the situation in the public eye.

Announcing divorce, with what appears to be a premeditative joint statement, Aamir and Kiran said that they are ready to 'start a new chapter as co-parents and family for each other.' The statement further revealed that the couple was planning separation for a while now and was waiting for a comfortable time to break the news. "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.

Aamir Khan with Kiran Rao during his birthday celebration in 2019

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Maintaining a dignified silence over what drew them to divorce, Aamir and Kiran's separation is minus drama and episodes of washing dirty linen in public which became a norm when such high-profile divorces come out of nowhere. The scenario was slightly different when Aamir parted ways with his first wife Reena Dutta.

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao at the birthday party of poet-lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar, in Mumbai on Jan 16, 2020.

In December 2002, Aamir and Reena filed a petition for mutual divorce and decided to separate because of "temperamental differences". After divorce, Reena took custody of both children, son Junaid Khan and daughter Ira Khan. While Aamir-Kiran's separation appears to be amicable from an outsider's view, his divorce with Reena was "traumatic".

"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," Khan had said during his appearance on a chat show in 2018.

Kiran Rao and Reena Dutta at Paani Foundation's press conference in 2018

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Though the process was 'traumatic' the 56-year-old actor remained cordial with Reena after the divorce. In 2017, Aamir was even seen at Reena's 50th birthday celebration for which he squeezed some time off while being neck-deep in promotions of Secret Superstar. Recently, when Lagaan turned 20, Aamir heaped praise on Reena for remaining his backbone and producing the film like a veteran despite the film being her debut production.

Aamir and Reena at the party to celebrates 10 years of Lagaan in 2011

Aamir's joined statement with Kiran announcing their split also hints that his bond with his second wife will be anything, but bitter after the splitsville. The estranged couple is gearing up for the new innings and in their own words, "You will see this divorce not as an end, but as the start of a new journey."

Aamir and Kiran got married in 2005 and welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan in 2011 through surrogacy.