TL;DR:
- Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and wife Saira Banu announced their separation after 29 years of marriage through their lawyer, citing the significant emotional strain in their relationship.
- Rahman shared an emotional note expressing regret about not reaching their 30-year milestone, acknowledging the pain of separation while seeking meaning in this difficult time.
- -The couple’s three children – Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen – have requested privacy and respect from the public as they navigate through this challenging family situation.
- The marriage, which began in 1995, was arranged by Rahman’s mother when he was 29, as he was too busy with his musical career to search for a partner himself.
Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage through a joint statement issued by their lawyer on November 19, 2024.
The couple, who married in 1995, made this decision following what their lawyer described as “significant emotional strain in their relationship.” The statement, released through Vandana Shah and Associates, emphasized that despite their deep love for each other, “tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time.”
In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahman expressed his heartbreak over the separation, stating: “We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again.”
The couple’s three children – Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen – have requested privacy during this challenging time. Their son Ameen wrote on Instagram Stories: “We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time.” Similarly, daughter Khatija asked for the matter to be treated with “utmost privacy and respect.”
The marriage, which began in 1995, was arranged through Rahman’s mother. In a 2012 interview with Simi Garewal, Rahman had revealed that he was too busy with his musical career to search for a bride himself. At the time, he had requested his mother to find him “a simple wife” with “some education, some beauty and loads of humility.”
Rahman, often called “the Mozart of Madras,” has had an illustrious career in music, winning numerous accolades including an Oscar for his work in “Slumdog Millionaire.” He began his musical journey at age five and gained prominence with his breakthrough work in the 1992 film “Roja,” which earned him the National Award for Best Music Composer.
Both parties have requested understanding and privacy as they navigate through what their lawyer described as a “difficult chapter” in their lives.
Source: Ndtv
