Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman recently revealed his separation from his wife, Saira Banu, through a joint statement issued by their lawyer. This announcement came on a Tuesday night, and the following day, Rahman took to the social media platform X to share his thoughts. However, his post, which included the hashtag #arrsairaabreakup, was met with backlash from netizens.
Rahman’s use of the hashtag #arrsairaabreakup drew heavy criticism. His message read, “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.”
“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…
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) November 19, 2024
The comment section quickly filled with negative responses. One user wrote, “Who creates a hashtag for this situation? Fire your admin, thalaiva.”
Another sarcastic comment read, “Thanks for using the hashtag #arrsairaabreakup. This will give you full privacy as per the new X-Privacy law.”
Other comments questioned the need for a hashtag, with one stating, “You don’t need a # to ask people to respect your privacy.”
Rahman’s divorce marks the end of a 29-year marriage to Saira Banu. The couple, who have three children together—son A.R. Ameen, and daughters Khatija Rahman and Raheema Rahman—had reportedly been going through a period of emotional strain. Despite the difficult decision, Rahman expressed gratitude to friends for their kindness during this challenging time.
Rahman and Saira’s journey to marriage began with a traditional arranged marriage setup. Rahman had shared in a previous interview that his desire to settle down grew in 1994. During that time, his mother and sister met Saira’s family at a shrine in Chennai. Though they were strangers, a casual conversation led to further communication.
Rahman first met Saira on his 28th birthday, January 6, 1995, and was immediately struck by her grace and beauty. Their relationship grew through regular phone calls, and Rahman eventually asked Saira to marry him. The couple wed in Chennai on March 12, 1995, in the same building where Rahman would later establish AM Studios in 2006.
