Recently, AR Rahman announced his separation from his wife, Saira Banu, after 29 years of marriage. This left the musician’s fans in shock, wondering what could be the reason behind this split. Now, in an exclusive interview with IANS, Rahman’s advocate Vandana Shah discussed the separation and shed light on why divorces are on the rise.

Shah said, “Divorces are on the rise everywhere. Divorces are here to stay, and the institution of marriage will also endure. However, these days, the tolerance level in relationships has decreased. I won’t use the word ‘compromise.’ We tolerate our friends greatly, but we don’t extend the same tolerance to our spouses. Tolerance is key to long-lasting marriages.”

Mumbai: Vandana Shah, the lawyer for music composer AR Rahman’s ex-wife, Saira Banu, says, “In my press release, I mentioned the reasons for the divorce, stating that there were insurmountable gaps between their personalities, which led to the breakdown of the marriage. It’s a… pic.twitter.com/niIutukh79
— IANS (@ians_india) November 21, 2024

When asked if there’s a correlation between AR Rahman and Saira’s separation and Mohini Dey’s subsequent separation from her husband Mark, Shah responded, “There’s nothing between Rahman and Mohini Dey. I don’t know why people are connecting these two events. Divorce is a difficult and painful decision. They’re already in pain; such news only increases their trauma.”

Vandana Shah mentioned that the couple’s joint statement announcing their separation had “a lot of grace and dignity” for each other. “For 29 years, they have led a very dignified life and they’re not changing that just because things may not work out as a fairytale ending as everyone may expect or as they may have expected. No one goes into a marriage expecting a divorce,” she shared in a chat with PTI.

AR Rahman and Saira Banu tied the knot in 1995. They have three children together – two daughters, Khatija and Rahima, and a son named Ameen Rahman. The couple confirmed their separation on Tuesday (19 November 2024) night through a joint statement.

AR Rahman also addressed the separation on X (formerly Twitter) and shared a poetic and heartfelt message: “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.”

See Also: AR Rahman & Saira Banu’s Lawyer Breaks Silence On Rumoured Link To Bassist Mohini Dey: ‘Decision Wasn’t Taken…’