AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage. The news, disclosed via a statement on Tuesday night, confirmed the couple's decision to part ways following a prolonged period of emotional strain.
Saira's statement emphasised their enduring love but acknowledged the insurmountable challenges in their relationship, making separation the only viable choice.
The announcement has brought significant attention to the couple, who have largely kept their personal life private.
Amid the news, an old interview of AR Rahman discussing his wife has resurfaced online, offering a glimpse into their early years together. In the interview, Rahman reminisced about how his mother and sister played matchmakers when they first met Saira at a Sufi shrine in Chennai.
In the interview, Rahman shared his thoughts on meeting Saira for the first time and how their relationship began. He said, “In 1994, when I was about twenty-seven, I decided that it was time to get married. For some reason, I started to feel old. [smiles] I was always very shy and never talked much to girls. I met many young women singers in my studio when we used to work together. I had great respect for them. But I never looked at a girl thinking that she could be my wife one day. I didn’t have the time to think about girls. I was working round the clock.”
Sharing his first impression of Saira, Rahman said, “She was beautiful and gentle. We met for the first time on 6 January 1995, on my twenty-eighth birthday. It was a brief meeting. After that, we mostly chatted on the phone. Saira speaks Kutchi and English and I asked her in English if she wanted to marry me. Saira was very quiet in those days. Now she’s anything but quiet.”
The couple married on March 12, 1995, in Chennai. Rahman recalled his wedding day with fondness and humour, “Saira and I were married in Chennai on 12 March 1995, in the same building where I opened the AM Studios in 2006. I had a fixed smile on my face on my wedding day and at the end of those three hours, I remember every muscle in my face ached.”
Despite their long and cherished relationship, the couple has faced challenges that have led them to this difficult decision. Rahman's recent social media post reflects his emotional state and the pain of their separation.
He wrote, “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. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter.”
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