Popular bass guitarist Mohini Dey has addressed and dismissed baseless rumours linking her with legendary composer AR Rahman. The speculation surfaced after Dey announced her separation from her ex-husband, Mark Hartsuch, coinciding with Rahman and his wife Saira Banu’s statement about their decision to part ways after 29 years of marriage.
Mohini Dey Calls AR Rahman a “Father Figure”
In an emotional Instagram video, Dey clarified her relationship with Rahman, describing him as a “father figure” who has played a pivotal role in her life and career. She urged the media to respect her privacy during this challenging period.
“I have a lot of father figures, role models in my life, and I’ve been really fortunate to have had them play vital roles in my upbringing. AR happens to be one of them. By AR, I mean AR Rahman. I respect him a lot. He is just like my father,” she stated.
Adding further context, she said,
“He is a little bit younger than my dad. His daughter is exactly my age, I think. We have a lot of respect and love for each other. Please be kind and respect our privacy. It’s a personal matter, and it’s painful. So please be kind,” Dey added.
Disappointment Over Media Speculation
Dey also shared a written note expressing her frustration over the media’s portrayal of the situation, condemning the “misinformation and baseless claims.”
“It feels criminal that the media has vulgarised the two events. I honour my times as a kid working with AR Rahman throughout my 8.5 years of working with him for his movies, tours, etc. It’s disheartening to see that people have no respect, sympathy, or empathy towards emotional matters like this,” read part of her note.
AR Rahman and Saira Banu’s Separation
The rumours began as Rahman and Saira Banu shared the news of their separation through a joint statement. The couple cited “significant emotional strain” as the reason behind their decision.
In a poetic post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Rahman wrote:
“We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter.”
Rahman and Saira, married in 1995, share three children—Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen.