Musician
A. R. Rahman
Based In
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Origin
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Years Active
1987 – Present
A. R. Rahman Biography
A. R. Rahman – Full Information
- Full Name: Allah Rakha Rahman (born A. S. Dileep Kumar)
- Popular Name: A. R. Rahman
- Nickname: Isai Puyal (Musical Storm)
- Profession: Music Composer, Singer, Music Producer, Songwrite
- Date of Birth: 6 January 1967
- Age Range: 58 years (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Current Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Years Active: 1987 – Present
- Debut Film as Composer: Roja (1992)
- Industries Worked In: Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, English (Hollywood)
- Known For: Revolutionary sound design, fusion of Indian classical with electronic/world music
Family Background
- Father: R. K. Shekhar
- Mother: Kasturi Shekhar
- Wife: Saira Banu
- Children: Khatija Rahman, Raheema Rahman, Ameen Rahman
A. R. Rahman – Education
- School: Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Chennai
- Music Training: Trinity College of Music, London (Western classical certification)
- Also trained extensively in Carnatic music under master musicians
Career Highlight
| Year | Category | Title / Achievement | Role / Credit | Language / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Career Start | Roja | Music Composer | Breakthrough debut |
| 1995 | Career Highlight | Bombay | Composer | Global recognition |
| 1997 | Music Video | Maa Tujhe Salaam | Performer | Directed by Bharatbala |
| 2001 | Career Highlight | Lagaan | Composer | Oscar-nominated film |
| 2002 | Actor | Kadhal Virus | Himself | Tamil cameo |
| 2007 | Music Video | Pray for Me Brother | Performer | Bharatbala |
| 2007 | Music Video | One Love | Performer | Owais Husain |
| 2008 | Music Video | Jiya Se Jiya | Performer | Kanika Myer |
| 2008 | Career Highlight | Slumdog Millionaire | Composer | International breakthrough |
| 2009 | Career Highlight | Wins 2 Oscars + 2 Grammys | Composer | Historic achievement |
| 2009 | Music Video | Vellai Pookkal | Performer | Mani Ratnam |
| 2009 | Music Video | Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) | Performer | Thomas Kloss |
| 2010 | Music Video | Semmozhiyaana Tamizh Mozhiyaam | Performer | Gautham Vasudev Menon |
| 2010 | Career Highlight | Padma Bhushan | Awardee | India’s civilian honour |
| 2011 | Music Video | Changing Seasons | Performer | Mani Ratnam |
| 2011 | Music Video | Miracle Worker | Performer | Paul Boyd |
| 2012 | Music Video | Infinite Love | Performer | Paul Boyd |
| 2017 | Performer | One Heart | Live Concert Film | Global tour |
| 2019 | Actor | Bigil | Himself | Cameo in “Singappenney” |
| 2019 | Music Video | Marvel Anthem | Performer | Punit Malhotra |
| 2019 | Music Video | Singappenney | Performer | Atlee |
| 2020 | Producer | Atkan Chatkan | Producer | Hindi film |
| 2020 | Music Video | You Got Me | Performer | Uma-Gaiti |
| 2021 | Producer / Writer | 99 Songs | Producer & Writer | Debut as writer |
| 2022 | Actor | Aaraattu | Himself | Malayalam cameo |
| 2022 | Producer / Writer / Director | Le Musk | Producer, Writer, Director | Directorial debut |
| 2022 | Music Video | Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye | Performer | Tamil anthem |
| 2023 | Actor | Maamannan | Himself | Cameo song |
| 2023 | Career Highlight | Maamannan | Composer | Political drama |
| 2024 | Actor | Ayalaan | Himself | Promo song cameo |
Recent Activity
- Actively working on the upcoming epic Ramayana alongside international composer Hans Zimmer
- Set to make his acting debut in the film Moonwalk
- Recently addressed controversy about reduced Bollywood work, reaffirming his strong commitment to Indian music and cinema
Upcoming film projects include:
- Peddi
- Gandhi Talks (silent thriller)
Awards List
| Year | Award Category | Award Name | Film / Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Music Direction | National Film Award | Roja | Won |
| 1992 | Music Direction | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Roja | Won |
| 1993 | Music Director | Filmfare South | Roja | Won |
| 1994 | Music Director | Cinema Express / Kalasaagar | Gentleman | Won |
| 1995 | Government Honour | Kalaimamani | Contribution to Music | Won |
| 1995 | Special Award | R D Burman Award | New Music Talent | Won |
| 1996 | Music Director | Filmfare South | Bombay | Won |
| 1997 | Music Director | Screen South Awards | Kadhal Desam | Won |
| 1998 | Music Album | Screen Awards | Vande Mataram | Won |
| 1999 | Music Director | Filmfare | Dil Se | Won |
| 2000 | Government Honour | Padma Shri | Lifetime Contribution | Won |
| 2000 | Music Director | Filmfare / IIFA / Zee Cine | Taal | Won |
| 2001 | Music Director | National Film Award | Lagaan | Won |
| 2001 | Government Honour | Awadh Samman | Contribution to Music | Won |
| 2002 | Music Director | Filmfare | Lagaan | Won |
| 2003 | Music Director | Filmfare | Saathiya | Won |
| 2004 | Government Honour | National Lata Mangeshkar Award | Contribution to Music | Won |
| 2005 | Music Director | Filmfare | Rang De Basanti | Won |
| 2007 | Music Director | Filmfare | Guru | Won |
| 2008 | International | Critics Choice + Satellite Awards | Slumdog Millionaire | Won |
| 2009 | Academy Awards | Best Original Score | Slumdog Millionaire | Won |
| 2009 | Academy Awards | Best Original Song (Jai Ho) | Slumdog Millionaire | Won |
| 2009 | Grammy Awards | Best Soundtrack + Song | Slumdog Millionaire | Won |
| 2009 | Golden Globe | Best Original Score | Slumdog Millionaire | Won |
| 2009 | BAFTA | Best Original Score | Slumdog Millionaire | Won |
| 2009 | CNN-IBN | Indian of the Year | Career | Won |
| 2010 | Government Honour | Padma Bhushan | Lifetime Contribution | Won |
| 2010 | World Economic Forum | Crystal Award | Global Music Impact | Won |
| 2011 | Filmfare | Best Music Director | Rockstar | Won |
| 2012 | Mirchi Music Awards | Album of the Year | Rockstar | Won |
| 2014 | Honorary Doctorate | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland | Music | Honoured |
| 2016 | International Honour | Fukuoka Prize (Japan) | Arts & Culture | Won |
| 2017 | Filmfare South | Best Music Director | Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada | Won |
| 2018 | Lifetime Achievement | KISS Foundation | Music | Won |
| 2019 | Global Icon | Behindwoods Gold Mic | Inspiration | Won |
| 2022 | National Film Award | Best Background Score | Ponniyin Selvan I | Won |
| 2023 | Global Film Festival | Best Music Composer | Iravin Nizhal | Won |
| 2024 | Filmfare OTT | Best Music + Background Score | Amar Singh Chamkila | Won |
| 2025 | International Honour | Lakshminarayana International Award | Music | Won |
About A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman (born A. S. Dileep Kumar)
Two
Roja (1992)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Yes, he continues composing for Indian and international projects.