‘We are not divorced’: Saira Banu clarifies after AR Rahman’s discharge from hospital

Music composer AR Rahman was admitted to a corporate hospital in Chennai on Sunday following dehydration and was discharged some hours later after doctors gave him a clean bill of health.

Following this, Saira Banu, Rahman’s estranged wife, extended her well-wishes through a statement released by her lawyer. In an accompanying audio note, she also requested not to be addresses as Rahman’s ‘ex-wife’ since their divorce is not yet official.

In her message, Banu said, “Assalamualaikum. I wish him a speedy recovery. I received the news that he had chest pain and underwent angiography, and by the grace of Allah, he is fine now; he is doing well.”

She further said, “I want to tell all of you that we are not officially divorced, we are still husband and wife, it’s just that we are separated because I was not feeling well for the last two years and I didn’t want to stress him too much but please don’t say ‘ex-wife’. It’s just that we are separated but my prayers are always with him and I want to say one thing to everyone, especially his family, that please don’t stress him too much, and take care of him.”

Rahman and Banu, whho tied the knot in 1995, announced their separation in November 2024 after 29 years of marriage. They share three children—Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen.

The composer’s hospital visit reportedly followed complaints of discomfort and neck pain after returning from an overseas trip.