How did AR Rahman’s fame take a toll on his family life? Singer FINALLY reveals

New Delhi: AR Rahman, one of India's most famous music composers, recently shared how his fame affected his personal life. He revealed that being a popular star made it hard for him to have private moments with his family.

Rahman spoke openly about how fans and events took a toll on him, especially when he could not even eat peacefully at weddings because people wanted to take his photos. Read on to know more about his struggles and how he balances life with his work and friends.

AR Rahman is a world-famous music composer known for his incredible work in India and Hollywood. In a recent chat with Nikhil Kamath, Rahman talked about how his fame has affected his family life. Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, separated in 2024 after 29 years of marriage, and they have three children together. He said in an interview with Nikhil Kamath, "The irony of my life is that nobody allows me to eat," explaining that at weddings and events, fans and guests always want to take pictures with him, even when he is eating. He shared, "Even in a marriage, when you go there, when you are eating, people say, 'Can I take a photograph?' I say, 'I am eating.' They say, 'But we are going to go. We have to go.'"

Rahman explained that this lack of privacy is something Indian stars face differently from Hollywood celebrities. He said, "Whenever I have worked with rockstars abroad, they, just with a straight face, say, 'I don't do that, sorry.' Whether it is a Hollywood actor, they are straight on the face. That's why people don't come because most of them are like that." According to him, Indian actors are more kind and understanding because "we are a different race."

Rahman also spoke about his social life, saying that maintaining friendships is difficult due to everyone’s busy schedules. "Even to spend time with family, I have to make sure that I pull them into dinner or something, where also not everyone is free, they all have their own lives now." However, he considers "all the directors" his friends because of work. When asked about friendships outside work, he said, "I don't treat it like work. When I work with people like Aanand L Rai or Imtiaz Ali… I love what I am doing." He enjoys hanging out and eating with younger people doing "amazing work."

Rahman admitted he steps out very rarely and is usually prepared for fans asking for selfies, except after long flights, when it becomes tiresome. He summed up, "That is the irony of my life. That's what actually took a toll on my family life, when no one allows you to eat."

This glimpse into Rahman’s life shows the challenges behind fame and the effort he makes to balance his personal relationships and career.