On Tuesday night, Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu confirmed their decision to separate after 29 years of marriage. The couple issued a joint statement through their lawyer, Vandana Shah.
The statement read:
“After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other. This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time. Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman emphasise that they have taken this decision out of pain and agony. Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman request privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as they navigate this difficult chapter in their life.”
Rahman and Banu were married in 1995 through an arranged marriage. In a previous interview on Simi Garewal’s chat show, Rahman revealed that his mother had played a pivotal role in arranging the match. Given his demanding work schedule, which included projects such as Rangeela, Rahman acknowledged that he did not have time to seek out a partner himself. “To be honest, I didn’t have time to go and search for a bride. I was doing all these films and Rangeela in Bombay, so I was so busy with that. But, I knew it was the right time for me to get married. I was 29 and I told my mother, ‘find me a bride’,” he shared.
Rahman further elaborated that he requested his mother to find him a “simple” woman who would allow him to focus on his music while being a source of inspiration. The couple has three children: daughters Khatija and Rahima, and a son named Ameen Rahman.
This is really sad.
