She penned a note that read- “With a heavy heart, Mark and I announce that we have separated”
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On Tuesday, Saira Banu announced separation from the Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman after 29 years of marriage. Saira’s lawyer, Vandana Shah shared a statement, which 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 requests privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time.”
And now, the singer and music composer’s bassist Mohini Dey has also also announced separation from her husband. She penned a note that read- “With a heavy heart, Mark and I announce that we have separated. First, as a commitment to our friends and family, this is a mutual understanding between us. While we remain great friends, we both have decided that we want different things in life and separation through mutual agreement was the best way to proceed (sic).”
Now, Saira and AR Rahman’s daughters Raheema and Khatija have addressed the separation. Raheema wrote on Instagram, “I would greatly appreciate it if this matter were treated with utmost privacy and respect. Thank you for your consideration.”
On the other hand, Khatija took to her Instagram story and wrote, “We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding.”
Amid the separation, an old interview of AR Rahman has surfaced online, where he spoke about how he met his wife. Talking to Nasreen Munni Kabir for her book A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music, 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] My mother and my sister Fathima saw Saira for the first time at the shrine of the Sufi saint Moti Baba in Chennai. It was all very easy.”