Malaika-Arbaaz confirm separation in a joint statement
After months of speculation that Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan were heading for a divorce, the two have have now confirmed their separation.
For the past few weeks, Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan had been denying rumours about trouble in their 18-year marriage. In a joint statement issued to a news agency, the couple maintained that while they have gone their separate ways, there is no truth to the rumours that Malaika is seeing anyone else or has approached a divorce lawyer. Also rubbishing rumours that Arbaaz’s brother Salman Khan has interfered on Arbaaz’s behalf, the couple has maintained that Arbaaz’s family had no problem with ‘Malaika’s lifestyle’. The couple has also denied rumours that Malaika was divorcing Arbaaz because he is not financially stable. Here’s what they said about the major rumours in their statement.
CAUSING CONFUSION FOR OUR FAMILIES
“We have maintained a dignified silence till now, but it is causing us too much confusion and is disturbing for our families. To put all speculation to rest, we are giving out this statement. People claiming to be our friends and sources have been speaking on our ‘behalf’, giving out wrong, malicious information. They have maligned us for long and we have kept quiet and not said a word, as it’s a personal matter between us. We have a got child and our families are involved, but just because we have not said anything till now, doesn’t give anybody the license to speculate on any rubbish about us.”
CAUSING CONFUSION FOR OUR FAMILIES
“We have maintained a dignified silence till now, but it is causing us too much confusion and is disturbing for our families. To put all speculation to rest, we are giving out this statement. People claiming to be our friends and sources have been speaking on our ‘behalf’, giving out wrong, malicious information. They have maligned us for long and we have kept quiet and not said a word, as it’s a personal matter between us. We have a got child and our families are involved, but just because we have not said anything till now, doesn’t give anybody the license to speculate on any rubbish about us.”
WHAT LAWYER?
“We know that there will be speculation, but it is disturbing to read that Malaika has approached a random divorce lawyer she doesn’t know at all. Nor has this lawyer got in touch with us ever. Whoever this person is, can lose their licence, as it’s irresponsible to talk about people who are not your clients. The truth is we have taken a break, but that doesn’t mean people can presume, assume and speculate things of such a malicious nature.”
MALAIKA DIDN’T ASK FOR SALMAN’S HELP
“We are taking out time to figure out our lives. Yes, it’s true that we have separated, but where our lives go and what transpires between us – it is for us to decide. Wherever it goes from here, we will talk about it when we are ready to. We are not separated because of a third random person, like there were stories of a friendship between a businessman and Malaika. Nor was it about his family disapproving of her lifestyle, nor does she feel that her husband is not financially stable. She is not crying on her brother-in-law Salman’s shoulder, asking him to help. They are our family, so please don’t talk about them like that. We deeply respect each other’s families. We want to put to rest all these articles, which are complete rubbish.”
OUR SILENCE IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS
“Please respect our privacy and do not drag our respective families and our child into it. Everything that has been carried till now is completely baseless. Everyone is taking our silence as a sign of weakness. When we are ready to talk, we will. It’s a tough and difficult time for us and we will appreciate it if you can please give us our space. We have and hold immense respect for each other and hold each other in the highest regard. Ultimately, we will do what’s best for our child, us and our family. We urge the media not to speculate and kindly do not believe whoever your said sources are, unless you hear from the people concerned.”
Read full article: Times of India
