The Singer and Composer AR Rahman:

Allah Rakha Rahman or AR Rahman was on 6 January 1967 in Madras, Tamil Nadu. He is a famous Indian music composer, singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and philanthropist.

The singer served in many Indian; Tamil and Hindi films and also worked in International cinema. AR Rahman received national and international awards, including 6 National Film Awards, 2 Academy Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, 1 BAFTA Award, 1

Golden Globe Award, 6 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and 18 Filmfare Awards.
Rahman’s father was a film score composer and a conductor in Tamil and Malayalam films. He studied to play piano at the age of four and assisted his father in his studio. After his father’s death, Rahman was raised by his mother, Kareema Begum.

Who is Saira Banu?

The ex-wife of AR Rahman, Saira Banu was born on December 20, 1973, in Kutch, Gujrat, India. She belonged to a very culturally rich family. Saira’s upbringing was delicate and deeply rooted in Islamic traditions and values. After marrying Rahman she got involved in many social and charitable organizations to support AR Rahman’s projects.

AR Rahman, Saira Banu Marriage

AR Rahman and Saira Banu got married in 1995. The couple did arrange marriage and had three children 2 daughters, Raheema and Khadija, and a son, Amin. The marriage was fixed by AR Rahman’s mother Kareema Begum. A few years ago, while talking in an interview the singer AR Rahman shared that he didn’t have time to look for a bride because he was busy with work.

He added, “In 1994, when I was 27 years old, for the first time in my life I felt that it was time to get married. I started feeling that I’m old now. From childhood, I used to feel shy and never spoke much to girls. I met many women but never thought of getting married to them.”
Rahman said, “I was too busy to find a wife for myself, so at the age of 29 years old and told my mother to find me a bride.”

The singer revealed that his mother and sister first met Saira in Chennai. The meeting was held in the shrine of the Sufi saint Moti Baba. “At first my mother didn’t know Saira and her family, they lived five houses away from the shrine and often used to meet and talk. Everything happened very naturally.”

AR Rahman shared his beautiful memories in an interview, originally part of the book A.R. Rahman: Spirit of Music written by Nasreen Munni Kabir. While recalling his first meeting with Saira, “Things took a turn when he first met Saira on his 28th birthday, January 6, 1995.”

“She was beautiful and gentle,” he recalled. “Our initial meeting was brief, but we mostly communicated over the phone after that. I remember asking her in English if she wanted to marry me. Back then, she was very quiet, but now, she’s anything but quiet,” he added with a laugh.

The couple got married on March 12, 1995 in Chennai. The couple maintained their distance from social media. Both lived a very private life and didn’t disclose anything about their family publicly.

AR Rahman and Saira Banu got divorced:

Saira Banu and AR Rahman decided to part ways after 29 years of marriage. AR Rahman and Saira had an arranged marriage.

Saira Banu’s lawyer Vandana Shah released her statement, “For me this decision was difficult but we decided to separate after an emotional strain.”

Indian media reported that Saira Banu’s lawyer stated, “It was a difficult decision to separate from her husband after so many years of marriage, but she decided to do so due to complications in the relationship.”

Vandana added that “despite their evergreen love and respect, they felt bitterness in their relationship and distant themselves. The couple were unable to cross the bridge between them.”

Saira Banu requested the fans to respect her privacy and feelings. Whereas AR Amin addressed the situation via a social media story, calling it a quit.

Amin further added, “We request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding.”

Whereas Saira Bana and her ex-husband AR Rahman requested privacy and asked the public to understand them during this challenging time.

AR Rahman and Saira Banu announced their divorce in a joint statement from their lawyers on Tuesday night, November 19.

Amid the divorce news, A R Rahman’s old interview has resurfaced, where he is talking about his first meeting with Saira.

He also told about the early years of their relationship and his mother and sisters’ role in their wedding after Rahman’s family first met Saira at a Sufi shrine in Chennai.

I met Saira on my 28th birthday, January 6, 1995. Her beauty and kindness immediately caught my attention. We mostly talked on the phone after that, and I eventually proposed to her in English. Despite her quiet nature at the time, she said yes, and our lives took a beautiful turn.

AR Rahman’s Reaction:

In his post, AR Rahman 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. #arrsairaabreakup”

Fans Reactions:

Fans are heartbroken after this news and presented their wishes for both, Rahman, Saira, and children. While critics also criticized the couple’s decision to break up after 29 years of marriage. Rahman’s colleagues also commented on their love and support for the ex-couple.