Mohini Dey, the celebrated bassist, recently addressed and dismissed rumors linking her to AR Rahman. The speculations arose following parallel announcements of her separation from husband and saxophonist Mark Hartsuch and AR Rahman’s announcement of separation from his wife, Saira Banu. In a heartfelt video, Mohini clarified her relationship with Rahman, describing him as a “father figure” and urging fans and the media to respect their privacy.
Mohini Dey Breaks Silence on Rumors
In a video shared on social media, Mohini Dey unequivocally denied any romantic link with AR Rahman. She described Rahman as a paternal figure and criticized the baseless rumors.
“I have a lot of father figures, role models in my life, and I’ve been really fortunate and grateful 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 said in the video.
Mohini also pointed out the age difference and her professional history with Rahman, adding, “He is actually 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.”
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Eight and a Half Years of Professional Collaboration
Mohini detailed her long-standing professional association with AR Rahman.
“I worked with him in his band as his bassist for eight and a half years. Until five years ago, when I moved to the US and I associated myself with other pop artistes in the US. I have my own band as well and my own music that I tour with,” she said.
She emphasized her gratitude for the opportunities Rahman provided and asked people to be kind and respectful during this sensitive time.
“Please be kind and respect our privacy. It’s a personal matter, and it’s painful. It’s a painful process.”
Condemnation of Media Speculation
In the caption accompanying her video, Mohini criticized the media for spreading baseless rumors and sensationalizing the situation.
“It is utterly unbelievable to see the amount of misinformation and baseless assumptions/claims against me & @arrahman,” she wrote.
“It feels criminal that the media has vulgarised the two events… It’s disheartening to see that people have no respect, sympathy, or empathy towards emotional matters like this.”
AR Rahman makes first appearance after announcing divorce from Saira Banu, looks devastated
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AR Rahman’s Son, AR Ameen, Responds
AR Rahman’s son, AR Ameen, also addressed the rumors and defended his father’s dignity.
“My father is a legend, not just for his incredible contributions, but for the values, respect, and love he has earned over the years. It’s disheartening to see false and baseless rumours being spread,” Ameen wrote.
He urged the public to focus on truth and refrain from spreading misinformation about his parents.
Mohini Dey: A Musical Prodigy
Mohini Dey is widely recognized as a musical prodigy. She began her professional career at the young age of 11 under the mentorship of jazz maestro Louis Banks. Over the years, she has collaborated extensively with AR Rahman and other legends like Zakir Hussain, Sivamani, Steve Vai, and Marco Minnemann.
A Plea for Empathy
The parallel announcements of Mohini Dey and AR Rahman’s personal matters have led to unwarranted speculation, but both Mohini and Rahman’s family have made their stances clear. Mohini’s heartfelt plea for privacy and respect reminds us of the importance of empathy in such emotionally sensitive situations.