Renowned Indian singer and music director A.R. Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage. On Tuesday night, Saira Banu issued a press statement confirming the split from the musician.
A statement from her lawyer shared with Indian media said, “After several years of marriage, Mrs. Saira has made the difficult decision to separate from her husband, Mr. A.R. Rahman. This decision comes after significant emotional stress in their relationship.”
The statement further explained that despite their deep love for each other, the couple felt that tensions and challenges had created an insurmountable gulf between them. It added, “Mrs. Saira has emphasized that this decision was made with much pain and distress. During this challenging time, she requests privacy and understanding from the public.”
A.R. Rahman and Saira were married in an arranged marriage in 1995. In an interview with Simi Garewal, Rahman revealed that his mother had arranged the marriage, as he had no time to search for a bride himself. He stated, “Honestly, I didn’t have the time to go and look for a bride. I was busy with films like ‘Rangeela’ in Bombay, but I knew it was the right time to get married. I was 29 years old, so I told my mother to find me a bride.”
He also shared that he had asked his mother to find a simple girl who would not cause him much trouble so that he could continue focusing on his music, expressing hope that she would inspire him.
The couple has three children: two daughters, Khatija and Raheema, and a son, Ameen Rahman. Rahman’s eldest daughter, Khatija, got married in 2022. During the wedding ceremony, Rahman shared a family photo that included a framed picture of his late mother placed near the bride and groom’s seating area.
