Mid-Day

Mumbai, May 27: Playback singer Babul Supriyo has separated from his wife, Riaa, after 11 years of marriage. The couple is in the process of filing for divorce and have a six-year-old daughter, Sharmilee.

Working it through

It was reliably learnt that Babul and Riaa were not together and were staying separately. Babul was reluctant to get into details, but admitted there was a rift in the relationship.

“Yes, we are currently separated. But keeping the well-being of our daughter in mind, we are consciously working towards an amicable settlement,” he said.

Babul met Canada-based Riaa during a Shah Rukh Khan concert in Toronto. Theirs was a love marriage; they tied the knot in July 1995.

Presently, Riaa has moved out of Babul’s home and stays with a friend in Mumbai. Their daughter lives with Babul.

Lifestyle changes

In the last few months, there has been a buzz in the music industry about Babul and his lifestyle. “The entertainment industry thrives on such things. I am aware of every rumour that’s been floating around, involving us. I know how and why they originated. But that doesn’t bother me any more.

People will say what they want — our lives cannot revolve around that,” said Babul, who has sung for forthcoming films like Kunal Kohli’s Fanaa, Sooraj Barjatya’s Vivah and Subhash Ghai’s Good Boy Bad Boy.

Why did the marriage sour? It’s said the couple drifted apart due to irrevocable differences, and all attempts to save the marriage in the last few months, proved futile. The singer’s erratic recording hours and constant travelling for concerts abroad, also took their toll.