Saira Banu breaks silence, reveals reasons for her divorce with AR Rahman

Days after announcing the separation from her husband, music composer A.R. Rahman, Saira Banu broke the silence and revealed why she took a break from marriage. 

In an audio released, Banu said she has been "physically unwell for the last couple of months" and so she wanted to "take a break from AR." 

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Amid the recent criticisms and speculations, Banu also said AR is a "gem of a person, the best man in the world."

"This is Saira Rahman here. I'm currently in Bombay. I've been physically unwell for the last couple of months. So that's the reason I just wanted to take a break from AR, but I would request the entire YouTube YouTubers, the Tamil Media, please please do not say anything bad against him. He's a gem of a person, the best man in the world."

Also read | A.R. Rahman and Saira Banu's lawyer Vandana Shah reveals the reasons for divorce in Bollywood

She added that it was just because of health issues that she had to leave Chennai. "I knew if I'm not in Chennai, you people will wonder where Sarah is. And I've come here to Bombay. I'm going ahead with my treatment, and this wouldn't have been possible with AR's busy schedule in Chennai, and I didn't want to disturb anybody, neither my children nor him." 

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Banu also requested people not to tarnish AR's name and just let him be the way he is. 

"He is an amazing human being...He is not linked with me, I trust him with my life. That's how much I love him, and that's how much he does. So I kindly request you all to stop the false allegations against him."

She also said that she would return to Chennai after completing her treatment. 

After nearly three decades of marriage, AR Rahman and Banu announced their separation last week. A joint statement was issued by Banu's lawyer, Vandana Shah. 

They tied the knot in 1995 and have three children--Khatija, Raheema and Ameen. 

Amid false accusations, AR has issued a legal notice to those spreading false information, warning dire consequences if defamatory content is not removed promptly. 

Defamatory content began appearing on social media platforms and YouTube channels after their separation announcement. Rahman’s legal representative emphasised that any non-compliance would result in criminal defamation charges under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which carries a punishment of up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine.