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After 29 years of marriage, music maestro AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have decided to part ways. The couple shared the news on their respective social media handles on Tuesday. Saira's lawyer Vandana Shah said in a statement, "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."
Here is all you need to know about Saira Banu:
1. Saira Banu was born in Kutch, Gujarat in December 1973. She is reportedly from an upper-middle-class family with a rich cultural heritage. She is well-known for her charity and social endeavours. She frequently makes donations to nonprofits that support community development, healthcare, and education, reported News18.
2. Saira Banu and AR Rahman met in an arranged marriage setup. Rahman revealed in an interview that his mother and sister first saw Saira at the shrine of the Sufi saint Moti Baba in Chennai. “My mother didn't know Saira or her family, but since they lived just five houses away from the shrine, they walked over and spoke to her. Everything happened very naturally," he said.
3. Recalling his first meeting with Saira Banu, AR Rahman said he met Saira on his 28th birthday. “She was beautiful and gentle. We met for the first time on 6 January 1995, on my 28th birthday. It was a brief meeting. After that, we mostly chatted on the phone. Saira speaks Kutchi and English and I asked her in English if she wanted to marry me. Saira was very quiet in those days. Now she's anything but quiet," he said.
4. The former couple got married on March 12, 1995. Saira is nearly seven years younger than Rahman.
5. Saira Banu and AR Rahman share three children — daughters Khatija and Raheema, and son Ameen.