AR Rahman and Saira Banu File for Divorce After Nearly 30 Years of Marriage; Watch Children Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen’s Reactions
Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, have ended their 29-year marriage. The couple, who tied the knot in an arranged marriage in 1995, announced their separation through a joint statement issued by Saira’s lawyer. This news marks the conclusion of a nearly three-decade-long partnership that brought together two private yet admired individuals in Indian entertainment.
Rahman, known for his soulful compositions, entrusted his mother to find him a life partner while he was busy shaping the soundtrack of millions of lives. Saira Banu entered his world as part of this traditional setup, and together they built a family that includes three children—Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen. Despite their fame, the couple maintained a low-key personal life, rarely sharing glimpses of their private moments with the public.
The joint statement cited “significant emotional strain” as the reason behind their decision, explaining that despite their love, the difficulties in their relationship created a gap too wide to bridge. Rahman later took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to thank fans for their understanding during this “fragile chapter,” but his hashtag #ARRSairaabreakup divided social media. While some found it genuine, others criticized it as being tone-deaf for such a personal announcement.
Who creates hashtag for this situation? 🤦♀️🤦♀️ Fire your admin, thalaiva 😞😞
— Pristina🤍🤍 (@pristinaoffl) November 19, 2024
The couple’s children—Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen—urged the public to respect their privacy. Khatija, their eldest, posted on Instagram Stories, asking everyone to give the family space to process. Raheema echoed her sister’s sentiments, emphasizing that her parents can make the best choices for themselves. Meanwhile, Ameen expressed gratitude to well-wishers for their understanding, adding his voice to the family’s request for boundaries.
The announcement came as a shock. Rahman and Saira were seen together as recently as the Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding, sparking no signs of trouble. Known for their reservedness, the news was unexpected, sparking discussions and debates across social media.
