“Officially Separated But Not Divorced”

Music composer AR Rahman was admitted to a hospital yesterday after he complained of chest pain. However, the doctors diagnosed and found out that he suffered from dehydration. He was later discharged from the hospital. Meanwhile, his estranged wife, Saira Rahman, wished him a speedy recovery. In the same context, she clarified that the duo was separated and not divorced. She requested the media not to address her as ‘ex-wife.’

In a statement released through her lawyers Vandana Shah and Associates, Saira Rahman said, “AR is in my prayers, and I wish him the best of health. In this tough time, I stand by him as I also recover from my surgery and wish him a speedy recovery. We sincerely appreciate the support, love, and prayers of his fans and well-wishers and supporters.”

She also shared an audio statement in which, she mentioned, “Hi everyone, this is Saira Rehman here. I wish him a speedy recovery and mujhe news mila ki unko chest pain hua tha, unka angio hua (i got the news that he had chest pain and he had angio). By the grace of Allah, he is fine now. I want to tell you all that we are not officially divorced, we are still husband and wife, it’s just that we are separated because meri tabiyat pichale do saal se sahi nahi thi and main unko jyaada stress nahi dena chahti thi.”

“But please, I request all the media persons to not address me as his ex-wife… and it’s just that we are now separated, but my prayers are always with him,” she said.

Both Rahman and Saira Banu announced their separation on November 19, 2024, after nearly 29 years of marriage.