AR Rahman Breaks Silence on Personal Turmoil with Grace and Poise

 Mumbai, April 24 – After months of dignified silence, Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman has finally addressed the public scrutiny surrounding his personal life. In a candid and introspective interview with Nayandeep Rakshit on YouTube, Rahman offered rare insight into the emotional toll of fame and the personal upheaval following his separation from wife Saira Banu.

The couple’s decision to part ways, publicly confirmed in November 2024, came as a shock to fans and observers alike, triggering a flurry of online speculation. Until now, Rahman had chosen not to respond. But in his recent appearance, the maestro reflected with characteristic serenity on the price of public life.

“The choice of being in public life is intentional, so everybody gets reviewed. Right from the richest person to even God gets reviewed—so who am I?” Rahman remarked. “As long as we stay together and are not conceited or toxic… even those who criticise us — they’re all family.”

Addressing the wave of online commentary and media intrusion, Rahman responded not with resentment, but with spiritual composure and cultural awareness. “If I say things about someone’s family, someone will say things about mine. And we, as Indians, believe this. Nobody should say unnecessary things because everyone has a sister, a wife, a mother,” he said. “Even when someone says something hurtful, I pray, ‘Please God, forgive them and guide them.’”

In November, Rahman had released a poignant message on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the separation in poetic terms:

“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."

Saira Banu, through her legal counsel, cited emotional stress as the cause for the separation, while affirming that the couple remains legally married. When Rahman was briefly hospitalised in March 2025, Saira made a public appeal urging media and the public to exercise restraint, noting that both were navigating this sensitive time with mutual compassion and dignity.

As Rahman’s words echo across social platforms, his message is clear: even under the weight of heartbreak and public scrutiny, grace and empathy remain the truest forms of strength.