I love him so much, stop tarnishing his name: Saira Banu breaks silence on divorce

In a development that has left fans and the music world shocked, legendary composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after nearly three decades of marriage. The couple made the announcement late Tuesday night through their lawyer, Vandana Shah, citing “significant emotional strain” as the reason for their decision.

The timing of their separation has led to a flurry of rumours online, with some social media users linking Rahman to bassist Mohini Dey. These claims have been met with strong denials from both Rahman and Saira. Addressing these rumours, Saira Banu broke her silence from Mumbai, where she is undergoing medical treatment.

Saira firmly denied any discord with Rahman, pointing out that her decision to leave Chennai was purely due to health issues.

“I’ve been physically unwell for the last couple of months. That’s the reason I just wanted to take a break from AR,” she explained.  

She clarified that her relocation to Mumbai was to avoid disturbing Rahman’s busy schedule and their family’s routine.

“He’s an amazing human being, and all I would request is please just let him be the way he is. He is not linked with anyone. I trust him with my life,” Saira said.  

In a heartfelt appeal, Saira urged the media and online communities to stop spreading false allegations.

“I would request the entire YouTube, YouTubers, and the Tamil media, please, please do not say anything bad against him. He’s a gem of a person, the best man in the world,” she said.  

"I request you to kindly stop tarnishing his name. It is absolutely rubbish. Thank you,” she added.

Saira reiterated her love and respect for Rahman, asking for patience and privacy.

“God bless, and my sincere prayers that we are left alone and given space at this moment,” she added.  

AR Rahman takes legal action  

Meanwhile, AR Rahman also responded to the rumours with a strong stance. Through his legal team, he issued a notice to those spreading defamatory claims and threatened legal action against platforms promoting false narratives.  

In a statement shared online, Rahman condemned the “fertile imaginary stories” and urged people to respect their privacy. His counsel explained that the couple decided to announce their separation publicly to prevent misinformation but were disappointed by the baseless claims that followed.  

The couple’s separation: A result of emotional strain  

Rahman and Saira Banu revealed that their decision to part ways stemmed from “significant emotional strain.” While the separation was a mutual and personal choice, the aftermath has been clouded by sensationalist reports.  

Saira assured that her time away from Chennai is temporary and solely for medical reasons. She expressed hope to return after completing her treatment and requested the public to avoid spreading negativity.