After nearly three decades of marriage, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have decided to part ways. The couple, who married in 1995, shared the news of their separation in a heartfelt announcement. This announcement has led many fans to revisit Rahman’s earlier interviews, where he spoke fondly about how he met Saira and the story behind their arranged marriage.
In a 2012 episode of the popular chat show Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, AR Rahman opened up about his arranged marriage to Saira. At the time, he was at the peak of his career, composing iconic scores for films like Rangeela and Bombay. When asked why he chose an arranged marriage over finding someone himself, Rahman admitted:
“To be honest, I didn’t have the time to go and search for a bride,” quoted Hindustan Times.
He told his mother, “Find me a bride”. For Rahman, it was about practicality. He was 29 and busy with his music career. So, when Simi Garewal asked if he had any particular “specifications,” Rahman was clear:
“I want a simple wife – the one who won’t give me much trouble – so I could carry on doing my music.”
He added that he’d also asked his mother to look for a woman with “some education, some beauty, and loads of humility.”
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Rahman’s mother had met Saira’s sister near a Sufi shrine, which led to a series of introductions. When they finally met in person, it was on a special day – Rahman’s 28th birthday, January 6, 1995.
“She was beautiful and gentle,” he recalled, describing their brief encounter. After that first meeting, most of their conversations took place over the phone, as Rahman was deep in his work.
Even then, Rahman didn’t waste time with elaborate proposals. In a simple, straightforward manner, he asked Saira in English if she wanted to marry him. “She was very quiet in those days,” Rahman said, “Now she’s anything but quiet,” quoted NDTV.
AR Rahman and Saira Banu tied the knot on March 12, 1995, in Chennai. Saira, who is almost seven years younger than Rahman, became his partner in a life full of music, family, and spirituality. Together, they have three children, and for nearly 30 years, they stood side by side, weathering the highs and lows that come with a long marriage.
Though their relationship has now ended, Rahman’s words from that old interview offer a glimpse into the beginning of a love that was built on simplicity, mutual respect, and a bit of divine intervention.