AR Rahman also said that one of the biggest challenge was not to take sides between his mother and wife.
Legendary musician AR Rahman got married to Saira Banu when his career as a composer had just taken off. In an interview, the musician revealed his intention behind getting married and explained how there were several cultural challenges that he saw after getting married. Rahman revealed that his greatest challenge was avoiding taking sides between his mother, wife and children.
In an interview with O2 India, Rahman said, “Marriage changes you. Yeah, I think it was exciting and terrifying both, to know that you’re going to live with another person whom you didn’t know before. And I think my marriage, my intention was more spiritual than physical. Because of that, I could cling on to all the storms and everything which could happen when you start a life.”
He added, “And we did have children, and then your whole loyalty towards family is split in a way because it’s you, your wife, and then it’s your mother. And then how do you integrate all this stuff and go beyond a level where you see everybody as a family?” Rahman and Saira got married in 1995. The couple has two daughters Khatija and Raheema and one son AR Ameen.
Rahman acknowledged that while there were some cultural differences, he believed that it was the biggest challenge he faced in his life. He stressed the importance of not taking sides and instead striving to keep everyone united. He added, “Because every house has problems and every house has love. Marriage expanded my whole sensibilities of compassion and understanding, patience, many things which are then transformed into a larger perspective.”
Earlier in an interview with Simi Garewal, Rahman had revealed that he told his mother to find a bride for him. He said, “To be honest, I didn’t have time to go and search for a bride. But, I knew it was the right time for me to get married. I was 29 and I told my mother. I said, ‘find me a bride.”
