Wed Nov 20 07:55:55 UTC 2024: ## Oscar-Winning Composer A.R. Rahman and Wife Saira Banu Announce Separation After 28 Years
**CHENNAI, INDIA** – A.R. Rahman, the celebrated Oscar-winning composer, and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after nearly three decades of marriage. The news was confirmed through a statement released by Saira Banu’s lawyer, Vandana Shah, who cited significant emotional strain on the relationship as the reason for the split. The statement emphasized the couple’s enduring love for one another but acknowledged that irreconcilable differences had emerged.
Rahman subsequently shared an emotional post on social media confirming the separation and requesting privacy during this difficult time. Both Rahman and his children, Khatija and Ameen, have publicly appealed for respect for their privacy in the wake of the announcement.
The couple, who married in 1995 in an arranged marriage orchestrated by Rahman’s mother, have two daughters, Khatija and Raheema, and a son, Ameen. Khatija is a singer who has worked on several Tamil film soundtracks, while Ameen has also pursued a career in music.
The announcement comes after several years of speculation and scrutiny. In 2022, a video surfaced online showing Rahman seemingly reprimanding Saira Banu for speaking in Hindi at an awards function, prompting public criticism of the composer.
While the couple’s reasons for separation remain largely private, the announcement marks the end of a high-profile marriage that had lasted nearly 28 years. The family’s request for privacy underscores the sensitive nature of the situation.
First Piper 