AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced divorce after 29 years of marriage. Rahman had expressed heartbreak over not being able to step into their 30th year together. He wrote on X, “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.”💐
While many are wondering the reason behind the divorce, Saira’s lawyer has opened up on divorces in general in Bollywood. Vandana Shah, Saira’s lawyer said on ‘The Chill Hour’ podcast, “Their (Bollywood) lives are very different. I don’t think infidelity is the cause of a lot of breakdowns in marriages. What is the cause of that marriage breakdown? One is boredom in a marriage because you have seen it all. They move on from one marriage to another because of boredom and that is very peculiar to Bollywood and super-rich families.”
She further revealed, “Secondly, I think they live very different sexual lives which are not out there. The expectations from a sex life are much higher than maybe a normal person’s marriage… Third, adultery happens and one-night stands really don’t matter as much. I’m not a part of Bollywood, I’m just saying from whatever cases have come to me. The main issues are boredom, not being given enough importance or having to listen to others who are not part of the marriage. Others can be the mother, the brother who is providing or the father-in-law.”
Vandana has also spoken about Rahman and Saira’s divorce and said, “Every long marriage goes through ups and downs, and I am extremely happy that if it has come to an end, it has done so in a dignified manner. Both Rahman and Saira will continue to support each other and wish each other well.”
AR Rahman and Saira have three children – Ameen, Khatija and Rahima Rahman.
