Hrithik-Sussanne Split
Actor Hrithik Roshan and wife Suzanne Khan pose on the red carpet of the Bollywood Zee Cine Awards at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore January 14, 2011. [Reuters]

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has expressed concern over the media buzz surrounding Hrithik Roshan's separation from his wife Sussanne.

Ever since Hrithik announced his split from his wife of 13 years, speculations have been flying around about the reason behind their break-up.

Abhishek, who starred alongside Hrithik in the "Dhoom 2", urged the media to respect the couple's privacy. "If you read the statement, Hrithik Roshan has requested his privacy to be respected and that is exactly what we should do. We should respect that privacy and give them strength during this trying time," Abhishek told PTI.

"I really feel that it will be wonderful if the media backs off and let them do what they wish to. It is very nice that he has issued a statement, his request for privacy should be respected. I will do so and so should you all."

On December 13, Hrithik issued an official statement saying, "Sussanne has decided to separate from me and end our 17-year relationship..."

The star wife also confirmed their decision to separate.

The announcement created quite a stir among fans and the media. Sussanne's close association with actor Arjun Rampal was cited as the reason behind Roshan couple's decision to separate, but the actor denied any involvement in the issue and dismissed the speculations. It was also said that the brewing tensions between Sussanne and her in-laws forced her to move out of the Roshan home.

Despite the cracks in the 17-year-old relationship, Sussanne's father Sanjay Khan said the couple was in need of some space from each other and that the separation is not a 'closure'.