FILE: Music composer A.R. Rahman with his wife Saira at Hotel Taj Connemara in Chennai on June 24, 2008. He was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award (2007-2008) by Rotary Club of Madras.
| Photo Credit: R_Shivaji Rao
We reported earlier today that Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman was hospitalised after he complained of chest pain and was later discharged after a routine checkup. Now, the composer’s estranged wife, Saira Bhanu, has released a statement wishing her husband a speedy recovery.
“Assalamualaikum. I wish him a speedy recovery. I received the news that he had undergone an angiography after complaining of chest pain. By the grace of Allah, he is doing well now,” she said in the statement.
Further, Saira requested media portals not to refer to her as Rahman’s ‘ex-wife’ since they have only separated and aren’t divorced. “We are still husband and wife; it’s just that we are separated because I haven’t been doing well for over two years, and I didn’t want to stress him too much. But please don’t refer me as ‘ex-wife.’ We are separated but my prayers are always with him”
“I want to tell everyone, especially to his family, not to stress him too much and to take care of him,” added Saira.
Rahman and Saira announced their separation in November 2024, ending their 29-year marriage. A statement from Saira’s lawyer Vandana Shah had cited “significant emotional strain” as the reason for the decision.
Earlier today, Rahman was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai. A source close to the family also said that he had complained of discomfort in his chest and that the doctors have cited dehydration as the cause of the discomfort. The composer was later discharged following a routine checkup.
This comes just weeks after Saira was hospitalised following a medical emergency and had to undergo surgery. Post her recovery, she acknowledged the unwavering support of her close friends, including sound designer Resul Pookutty and his wife Shadia, as well as Rahman. She thanked them for their kindness and encouragement, emphasizing her focus on a speedy recovery.
Saira and Rahman have three children — Khatija Rahman, Raheema Rahman, and AR Ameen.
On the work front, Mr. Rahman composed the music for Vicky Kaushal’s blockbuster historical film, Chhaava. The composer has Lahore 1947, Thug Life, and Tere Ishq Mein among other films in the line-up.
Last month, the composer performed alongside renowned pop star Ed Sheeran at the latter’s concert in Chennai. Several videos from the concert showed Rahman and Ed jam to a remix of ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Urvashi Urvashi’
Published – March 16, 2025 04:52 pm IST
