After 29 Years Together, AR Rahman And Wife Saira Separate

India-West News Desk

CHENNAI – Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and his wife Saira, after nearly three decades of marriage, have announced their decision to separate. The couple shared the news through a statement issued by their lawyer,  describing it as a “difficult decision.”

“After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A.R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other,” the statement read.

Their lawyer further explained that the separation follows “significant emotional strain in their relationship.” Despite their enduring love for one another, the couple acknowledged that “tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time.”

The statement emphasized that the decision “comes out of pain and agony” and requested privacy and understanding during this challenging period. “Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A.R. Rahman request privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time as they navigate this difficult chapter in their life,” it added.

Rahman reflected on the separation with a poignant post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing disappointment while seeking hope. “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,” he wrote.

The couple, married in 1995, have three children: Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen. Their son Ameen took to social media to request privacy, writing, “We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding.”

Rahman, celebrated worldwide for his Oscar-winning work on Slumdog Millionaire, has been a towering figure in Indian and global music. Dubbed “the Mozart of Madras” by Time magazine, Rahman began his career at the age of five and rose to fame with his work on the 1992 film Roja, which earned him the national award for best music composer.