Saira Banu requests not to be called AR Rahman’s "ex-wife," says "We are still husband and wife"

Days after announcing her separation from Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman, Saira Banu has requested fans and the media to stop referring to her as his "ex-wife." In a voice note shared on Sunday, she clarified that while they are separated, they are not officially divorced and still share a bond.

"We are still husband and wife, it's just that we are separated because I was not feeling well for the last two years. I didn’t want to stress him too much, but please don’t say ‘ex-wife.’ My prayers are always with him," Saira Banu said. She also urged Rahman’s family not to put additional stress on him and to take care of him.

Her statement comes after AR Rahman was hospitalized in Chennai’s Apollo Hospital due to chest pain. He underwent angiography and was discharged today. His spokesperson revealed that the health scare was due to dehydration, worsened by his fasting during Ramzan and his recent return from London.

Rahman and Saira Banu, who had been married for 29 years, announced their separation through their lawyers in November last year. The couple has three children – AR Ameen, Khatija Rahman, and Raheema Rahman. The news of their separation shocked fans, especially after Rahman shared an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing the heartbreak of parting ways.

Rahman’s post read, "Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts... Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning." He thanked his friends and well-wishers for respecting their privacy as they navigated through a difficult time.

While Saira Banu has confirmed that they are still legally married, it remains unclear whether the couple intends to reconcile. Fans, meanwhile, have continued to express their support for both Rahman and Saira as they deal with this challenging phase in their lives.