Arbaaz, Malaika confirm they are separating in a joint statement

Rumours were circulating that Malaika Arora Khan had reportedly made up her mind of ending her 18-year old marriage with Arbaaz Khan.

Read More: Malaika all set to divorce Arbaaz?

Salman Khan reportedly tried to patch things up between the two. He arranged a family dinner to help Arbaaz and Malaika iron out their difference. Her sister Amrita along with her husband Shakeel Ladak and mother Joyce Policarp were invited but the actress left the scene.

The couple, in their statement regarding their relationship to an Indian news agency, stated that they had maintained a dignified silence till now but it was causing too much confusion and was disturbing for their families.

“To put all of the 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 stated.

“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 got a child and our families are involved, but just because we have not said anything till now, it doesn’t give anybody the license to speculate on any rubbish about us,” they added.

They added that they know that there will be speculation, but it was disturbing to read that Malaika had approached a random divorce lawyer she doesn’t know at all. Nor has this lawyer got in touch with us.

Arbaaz and Malaika went on to say that whoever this person was can lose their licence as it’s irresponsible to talk about people who are not their clients.

The couple stated that, “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 shoulders, 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. Till then, please respect our privacy and do not drag our respective families and our child into it”, Arbaaz and Malaika said.

They also stated that everything that was being carried till now was completely baseless.. Everyone was taking their silence as a sign of weakness and when they are ready to talk, they will.

The showbiz couple added that it’s a tough and difficult time for them and they would appreciate it if you can please give them their space. “We have and hold immense respect for each other and hold each other in the highest regard,” they said.

“Ultimately we will do what’s best for our child, us and our family. Please understand what we are going through. We urge the media not to speculate and kindly do not believe whoever your said sources are, unless you hear from the people concerned,” Arbaaz and Malaika said.