Two time Grammy, Oscar winner, and one time Golden Globe, BAFTA winner, Padma Bhushan AR Rahman, is not just a globally known name, but considered to be the Pride of Indian cinema when it comes to music. Three years since his head-turning debut with Roja in 1992, AR Rahman entered into an arranged marriage with Saira Banu in 1995.
“To be honest, I didn’t have time to search for a bride. I was busy with films, including Rangeela in Bombay. But I knew it was the right time to get married. I was 29 and told my mother, ‘Find me a bride.’"- AR Rahman to Simi Garewal during a talk show.
AR Rahman and Saira Banu went to share life for 29 years, during which they had three children Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen. Khatija, currently married is a playback singer cum music composer herself. Ameen is also a playback singer, and is often spotted working with his father. At midnight on Wednesday, AR Rahman sent shockwaves across India by announcing his separation from his wife of 29 years.
“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
Raheema shared her father's post and urged followers to “keep us in your prayers.” She also reposted a Tamil message requesting privacy, reiterating that “it’s their personal issue”. Khatija and AR Ameen requested for 'understanding and 'privacy' during this difficult time for their family. Their mother Saira Banu released a statement via her lawyer to the media. It read,
“After many years of marriage, Mrs Saira has made the difficult decision to separate from her husband Mr AR 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,”
Fan reactions to AR Rahman, Saira Banu divorce:
Who creates hashtag for this situation? 🤦♀️🤦♀️ Fire your admin, thalaiva 😞😞
— Pristina🤍🤍 (@pristinaoffl) November 19, 2024
i hope they’re both at peace with and without each other
— stargirl (@aval_dhan) November 19, 2024
This is a terrible time to be a Kollywood fan. Vijay has gone for politics, Ajith is once again choosing to work with a fraud, Suriya’s new movie is dogshit, Dhanush and Nayanthara are both caught up in petty disputes, and now AR Rahman is ending his marriage 😭
— 𝙂𝙪𝙧𝙪 ⚔️ (@GuruSyre) November 19, 2024
" There will be No fights happen between us "
— A.R.Rahman Loops (@ARRahmanLoops) November 19, 2024
Still can't accept this 😢🚶♂️ pic.twitter.com/DiabBTlFoi
The composer's love for Saira Banu has benefited us with god level music for decades. https://t.co/LUvG0s10e8 pic.twitter.com/iLkz2745SY
— Sandeep (@SandeepMoorthy) November 19, 2024
A Mike Tyson fight, AR Rahman going for a divorce, DK making debut in some franchise league again ..what year is this?
— Jaammii.. (@Jaammiing) November 20, 2024
Two Divorce from the same Family within a year is not that easy thing.. #ARRahman pic.twitter.com/WWRNpgmjZV
— Sathiya (@SathiyaSathy) November 19, 2024
Gosh still it's unbelievable to even know that the most cutest couple a made for eachother couple Ar rahman sir and saira mam is getting separated 😭😭😭😭 A man who chooses always love all his life ..coming to a situation like this i just can't take it 😭😭😭 Devastated 💔 pic.twitter.com/ikOl4o2AG9
— Roshan_ARR (@roshan_shams) November 19, 2024
#ARRahman 💔 #Sairabanu ,It's a Sad Moment for all Rahmaniacs. With Marriages & Relationships getting complex to handle & manage, #SJSurya was perfectly spot on about #Marriage. pic.twitter.com/iXpRxViJbD
— Lukazic (@ratneep1) November 19, 2024
not a good week for ranjhaana cast, first dhanush then swara now rahman sir, can't wait to see sonam's downfall btw https://t.co/Pz4pzHNwSp
— Ankit (@halkattjawaniii) November 20, 2024
Nothing is permanent in life !
— ImUtopian (@ImUtopian1990) November 19, 2024
Who in the world expected this ?#ARRahman https://t.co/8k1TXYKEwI
யுவன் சங்கர் ராஜா - விவாகரத்து - மறுமணம்
— ~S~K~H~ (@skhtechy) November 20, 2024
இமான் - விவாகரத்து - மறுமணம்
ஜிவி பிரகாஷ் - விவாகரத்து
ஏஆர் ரகுமான் - விவாகரத்து
எல்லா இசையமைப்பாளர்களும்…#ARRahaman #ARRahmandivorce pic.twitter.com/0HidQF2VSX
Me and who wannabes OTW to sign off the day, meanwhile periya bhai divorce news spreading.
— The Devil' (@iampaamaran) November 19, 2024
Them: pic.twitter.com/zdUNWsSROH
Heartbreaks of Kollywood 💔#ARRahman #SairaBanu #Dhanush #JayamRavi #GVPrakash pic.twitter.com/9DWXZviVnW
— Venkat (@vengat_JVR23) November 19, 2024
Sad that a marriage broke up after 30 years. Investing 30 years of your life into a marriage and then watch it crumble is devastating. Don't know who's at fault here. But I wish both Rahman and Saira best for their separate paths in future. #ARRahmandivorce pic.twitter.com/2rVEfH1FdQ
— Joydeep Bharadwaj Hazarika (@Bharadwaj_Joy) November 20, 2024
GUYS GUYS. AR Rahman's bassist also announced her separation from her husband today. #arrsairaabreakup pic.twitter.com/WhyBvdYm0a
— Lila Krishna (@lilastories) November 20, 2024
AR Rahman got divorced which means he's about to enter his teen pop era music lost a real one today💔
— La Liga Systems (@janufooty) November 20, 2024
They will be already filming it. No escape naalaiku
— Avinash Ramachandran (@Avinash_R13) November 19, 2024
#ARR & #SAIRA Love.
— Vijay Andrews (@vijayandrewsj) November 20, 2024
29 Yrs of Togetherness just cos a remark made like that on a show brings you this conclusion.
ARR has said "love u all" terms in events etc., Maybe she might have teased him for that question.
Calling him not a husband material just like that is very rude.
He… https://t.co/VzI3P6WpmC pic.twitter.com/wZWXXAfPbW
Never ever, ever ever outsource handling your SM accounts to agencies. Look at the pathetic hashtag. As if tweeting this detail itself wasn't bad enough, hashtag is yuck https://t.co/SwAdcuRVX9 pic.twitter.com/PV0rmJzYJN
— Suresh (@surnell) November 20, 2024
#celebritiesdonotoweusanexplanationabouttheirpersonallives https://t.co/U7o6JwXgWk
— thavapillai (@spielburgerr) November 19, 2024
Divorce after 30 years of marriage 🫤
— 🦖ynessratayirP (@piiyyaaaa) November 20, 2024
Solratheke onnum ille https://t.co/zmeCfFg582