Exclusive | AR Rahman's Estranged Wife Took Offence Over 'Divorce Hashtag'? Her Lawyer Responds

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and wife Saira Banu are separating after 29 years of marriage. After issuing a joint statement confirming their split, Rahman took to social media to share a note on this development in his personal life. The note, however, was accompanied by a hashtag '#arrsairaabreakup', which left netizens puzzled and invited heavy scrutiny on social media. Many also trolled Rahman for allegedly 'trivialising' his divorce by using the hashtag while others were puzzled by his move.

Why did Rahman use a hashtag in his divorce statement on X?

Lawyer Vandana Shah, who is representing Saira Banu in the divorce case, spoke to Republic about the trolling that Rahman is facing for attaching a hashtag with his official separation statement on social media. When asked if Saira Banu had taken offense to it and what were her sentiments like, Shah refused to comment.

Netizens react to Rahman using hashtag for his divorce announcement

Rahman's X post confirming his separation from his wife, read, "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.” It was accompanied by a bouquet emoji and a 'arrsairaabreakup' hashtag.

Rahman's post was soon flooded with negative reactions questioning him for using a hashtag for his divorce. "Why a hashtag after this? Are you out of your mind (sic)," a read a comment. Another one wrote, "Waah isme bhi hashtag (sic)." "You don't need a # to ask people to respect your privacy (sic)," commented one.