AR Rahman and wife Saira part ways after 29 years: Tensions have created an insurmountable gap

Saira, the wife of legendary musician AR Rahman, has announced their separation. In a statement released on Tuesday night, she confirmed that she is parting ways with the iconic composer after nearly three decades of marriage.

The statement read, "After many 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 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 emphasised that she has taken this decision out of pain and agony. Mrs Saira requests privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as she navigates this difficult chapter in her life," the statement added.

Oscar winning singer, AR Rahman tied the knot with Saira on 12 March 1995 through an arranged marriage. In an interview with Simi Garewal on her chat show, Rahman shared that his mother played a key role in arranging the match. He admitted that due to his busy schedule, he didn’t have the time to search for a life partner, making an arranged marriage a practical choice.

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"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 in that. But, I knew it was the right time for me to get married. I was 29 and I told my mother. I said, 'find me a bride'," he said.

Rahman shared that he had requested his mother to find him a "simple" woman who would support his work and not create much difficulty, allowing him to focus on his music while also being a source of inspiration. The couple is blessed with three children: two daughters, Khatija and Rahima, and a son, Ameen Rahman.