Advocate Vandana Shah, a successful divorce lawyer representing musician AR Rahman and Saira Banu following the Oscar winner and his wife’s separation, recently spoke to Bollywood Bubble about the high-profile divorce.
When asked about the circumstances under which Rahman and his spouse are going through a divorce, Shah said, “I have actually issued a joint statement regarding Mr. AR Rahman and Ms. Saira Rahman’s situation at the moment, and I think the statement is quite self-explanatory. It explains that they have reached a stage where an insurmountable gap has come between them. They are going through their own pain and struggles, and it’s not something I can speak about lightly. It’s a lot of pain, and no one arrives at such a stage without deep thought and reflection, especially after 29 years of marriage.”
She added, “In today’s day and age, a 29-year marriage is a significant achievement. And I’m sure both of them are coping with their pain and the challenges that come with such a situation. It’s a very life-changing decision. Just as marriage or having children are life-changing milestones, so is divorce, especially in a country like India.”
Speaking about the alimony divorce cases, Vandana said, “In India, the idea of receiving 50% alimony after divorce is a myth. And it’s not documented in law. There is no fixed percentage mandated by the legal system. This misconception has been perpetuated, making people believe that a spouse automatically gets 50% alimony upon divorce. But that is not true. The actual outcome largely depends on the arguments presented in court, the Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities submitted. And the overall context of the case. Unlike in the United States, where alimony percentages are more structured and fixed, India does not follow such a system.”
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