AR Rahman and Saira Banu found themselves at the centre of social media speculation after they announced their separation after nearly 30 years of marriage. Amidst the chatter, vicious rumours circulating online falsely claim that Rahman converted to Islam for his wife. However, these claims were rubbished, as Rahman himself previously clarified the reasons behind his spiritual journey.
In a 2000 interview with Karan Thapar for a BBC talk show, Rahman shared that his decision to embrace Islam stemmed from a deeply personal and spiritual experience when a Sufi spiritual healer, treated his father during his battle with cancer. "We later met [the Sufi] after 7-8 years, and that’s when we led another spiritual path which gave us peace," Rahman explained.
