How and When AR Rahman Met his Ex-Wife Saira Bano for the First Time

Music composer AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, have decided to end their 29-year-long marriage. In a joint statement by their lawyer on Tuesday night, the couple announced their separation. The statement mentioned that the decision was taken after dealing with emotional challenges for a long time.  

As the news of their divorce spread, an old interview of AR Rahman started trending online. In the interview, he talked about the first time he met Saira and the early days of their relationship. He also shared how his family played a key role in his marriage.  

Their First Meeting  

The interview, originally part of the book A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music by Nasreen Munni Kabir, had Rahman sharing his memories. He said he wasn’t someone who thought about relationships or marriage when he was younger. “In 1994, when I was 27, I felt it was time to get married. I suddenly started feeling old. I was always shy and never spoke much to girls. I met many women in my studio while working, but I never thought about marriage. I was too busy working all the time,” Rahman said.  

Things changed when he met Saira for the first time on his 28th birthday, January 6, 1995. “She was beautiful and gentle. Our first meeting was brief, but after that, we mostly spoke over the phone. I remember asking her in English if she wanted to marry me. Back then, she was very quiet, but now, she’s anything but quiet,” he said with a laugh.  

Rahman and Saira got married on March 12, 1995, in Chennai. The couple was together for 29 years before deciding to separate. Over the years, they built a family and supported each other through life’s ups and downs.