Birth Name: A. S. Dileep Kumar (A. R. Rahman)
A man of few words, A R Rahman has always preferred his music to do the talking. And how! From being touted as the most exciting composer in India, he is now on the verge of receiving international acclaim.
Date Of Birth: 6 January, 1966
Biography:
A. R. Rahman was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a musically affluent Mudaliar Tamil family. Allah Rakha Rahman was born as A. S. Dileep Kumar, to a musically affluent family. Dileep started learning the piano at the age of 4, and at the age of 9, his father passed away. Since the pressure of supporting his family fell on him, he joined Ilayaraja's troupe as a keyboard player at the age of 11. He dropped out of school as a result of this and traveled all around the world with various orchestras.
In 1987, he moved to advertising, where he composed more than 300 jingles over 5 years. In 1989, he started a small studio called Panchathan Record Inn, which later developed into one of the most well-equipped and advanced sound recording studios in India.
At an advertising awards function, Rahman met one of India's most famous directors, Mani Ratnam. Rahman played him a few of his music samples. Mani loved them so much that he asked Rahman to compose the music for his next film, Roja (1992).
The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to compose several great hits for Tamil-language films before composing the score and songs for his first Hindi-language film, Bollywood Dreams (1995). The enormous success of his first Hindi venture was followed by the chart-topping soundtrack albums of films such as Bombay (1995), Dil Se.. (1998), Taal (1999), Zubeidaa (2001), and Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), which was nominated for best foreign-language film at the 2002 Academy Awards.
More recently, he worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Shekhar Kapur (director of Elizabeth (1998)) on a musical called "Bombay Dreams." At 36 years old, A.R. Rahman has revolutionized Indian film music and one can only expect this musical genius to reach greater heights.
Personal Life:
Due to some personal crisis, Dileep Kumar embraced Islam and came to be known as A.R. Rahman.
In 1989 Rahman converted to Islam, the religion of his mother's family. He embraced this faith through Sufism. He is married to Saira Banu and has three children, Khatija, Rahima, and Ameen.
Filmography:
Background Music Composer
The Desire (2011) (Under Production)
Ada... A Way Of Life (December 31, 2010) (Released)
Blue (October 16, 2009) (Released)
Provoked (April 6, 2007) (Released)
- The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (June 7, 2002) (Released)
Lyricist
Slumdog Millionaire (January 23, 2009) (Released)
Music Director
Yash Chopra'S Next (November 2012) (To Go On Floor)
Rana (2012) (Under Production)
Rockstar (November 11, 2011) (Under Production)
Yahan Ke Hum Sikander (2011) (Under Production)
Hara (2011) (Under Production)
Chamki Chameli (2011) (Under Production)
Lajjo (2011) (Under Production)
Ada... A Way Of Life (December 31, 2010) (Released)
Jhootha Hi Sahi (October 22, 2010) (Released)
Robot (October 1, 2010) (Released)
Raavan (June 18, 2010) (Released)
Blue (October 16, 2009) (Released)
Delhi-6 (February 20, 2009) (Released)
Slumdog Millionaire (January 23, 2009) (Released)
Ghajini (December 24, 2008) (Released)
Yuvvraaj (November 21, 2008) (Released)
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (July 4, 2008) (Released)
Jodhaa Akbar (February 15, 2008) (Released)
Elizabeth - The Golden Age (2008) (Released)
Sivaji: The Boss (June 15, 2007) (Released)
Provoked (April 6, 2007) (Released)
Water (March 9, 2007) (Released)
Guru (January 12, 2007) (Released)
Rang De Basanti (January 26, 2006) (Released)
Mangal Pandey - The Rising (August 12, 2005) (Released)
7? Phere (July 29, 2005) (Released)
Bose: The Forgotten Hero (May 13, 2005) (Released)
Kisna (January 21, 2005) (Released)
Swades (December 17, 2004) (Released)
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (September 10, 2004) (Released)
Yuva (May 21, 2004) (Released)
Ayitha Ezhuthu (May 21, 2004) (Released)
Lakeer (May 14, 2004) (Released)
Meenaxi (April 2, 2004) (Released)
Tehzeeb (December 5, 2003) (Released)
Saathiya (December 20, 2002) (Released)
The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (June 7, 2002) (Released)
Baba (2002) (Released)
Nayak (September 7, 2001) (Released)
Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (June 15, 2001) (Released)
One 2 Ka 4 (March 30, 2001) (Released)
Paarthale Paravasam (2001) (Released)
Zubeidaa (2001) (Released)
Fiza (September 8, 2000) (Released)
Dil Hi Dil Mein (April 21, 2000) (Released)
Alai Payuthey (March 6, 2000) (Released)
Pukar (February 11, 2000) (Released)
Thenali (2000) (Released)
Thakshak (December 3, 1999) (Released)
1947 (Earth) (September 10, 1999) (Released)
Taal (August 13, 1999) (Released)
Padaiyappa (1999) (Released)
Doli Sajake Rakhna (November 27, 1998) (Released)
Dil Se (August 21, 1998) (Released)
Kabhi Na Kabhi (April 17, 1998) (Released)
Daud (July 13, 1997) (Released)
Sapnay (1997) (Released)
Vishwa Vidhata (1997) (Released)
Kadhal Desam (March 6, 1996) (Released)
Hindustani (1996) (Released)
Rangeela (September 8, 1995) (Released)
Bombay (April 7, 1995) (Released)
Muthu (1995) (Released)
Duet (March 6, 1994) (Released)
Humse Hai Muqabula (March 6, 1994) (Released)
- Roja (1992) (Released)
Playback Singer
Ada... A Way Of Life (December 31, 2010) (Released)
Robot (October 1, 2010) (Released)
Delhi-6 (February 20, 2009) (Released)
Slumdog Millionaire (January 23, 2009) (Released)
Yuvvraaj (November 21, 2008) (Released)
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (July 4, 2008) (Released)
Jodhaa Akbar (February 15, 2008) (Released)
Sivaji: The Boss (June 15, 2007) (Released)
Guru (January 12, 2007) (Released)
Rang De Basanti (January 26, 2006) (Released)
Mangal Pandey - The Rising (August 12, 2005) (Released)
7? Phere (July 29, 2005) (Released)
Bose: The Forgotten Hero (May 13, 2005) (Released)
Kisna (January 21, 2005) (Released)
Swades (December 17, 2004) (Released)
Yuva (May 21, 2004) (Released)
Saathiya (December 20, 2002) (Released)
The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (June 7, 2002) (Released)
Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (June 15, 2001) (Released)
Fiza (September 8, 2000) (Released)
Taal (August 13, 1999) (Released)
Dil Se (August 21, 1998) (Released)
Daud (July 13, 1997) (Released)
Kadhal Desam (March 6, 1996) (Released)
Rangeela (September 8, 1995) (Released)
- Humse Hai Muqabula (March 6, 1994) (Released)
Awards:
Winner: Screen Award for Best Music (2010)
Movie: Delhi-6
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2010)
Movie: Delhi-6
Winner: Screen Award for Best Background Music (2009)
Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Winner: Screen Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Winner: IIFA Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Winner: IIFA Award for Best Background Score (2009)
Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Winner: Apsara Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Winner: Screen Award for Best Music (2008)
Movie: Guru
Winner: IIFA Award for Best Music (2008)
Song: Barso Re ... Movie: Guru
Winner: Screen Award for Best Background Music (2007)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Winner: Zee Cine Award for Best Music Director (2007)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Winner: IIFA Award for Best Music (2007)
Song: Roobaroo ... Movie: Rang De Basanti
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2007)
Movie: Guru
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Background Score (2007)
Movie: Guru
Winner: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Music (2006)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Winner: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Background Score (2006)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2006)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Background Score (2004)
Movie: Swades
Winner: IIFA Award for Best Music (2003)
Movie: Saathiya
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Background Score (2002)
Movie: The Legend Of Bhagat Singh
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2002)
Movie: Saathiya
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2001)
Movie: Lagaan
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2001)
Movie: Once Upon A Time In India
Winner: IIFA Award for Best Music (2000)
Movie: Taal
Winner: Screen Award for Best Music (2000)
Movie: Taal
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (1999)
Movie: Taal
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (1998)
Movie: Dil Se
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Music (1998)
Movie: Rangeela
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Background Music (2011)
Movie: Raavan
Nominated: Apsara Award for Best Music (2010)
Movie: Ghajini
Nominated: Apsara Award for Best Music (2010)
Movie: Ghajini
Nominated: IIFA Award for Best Music (2010)
Movie: Delhi-6
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Playback Singer - Male (2009)
Song: Khwaja Mere Khwaja ... Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Ghajini
Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Nominated: IIFA Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Ghajini
Nominated: Apsara Award for Best Male Playback Singer (2009)
Song: Khwaja Mere Khwaja ... Movie: Jodhaa Akbar
Nominated: Apsara Award for Best Music (2009)
Movie: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Nominated: Apsara Award for Best Music (2008)
Movie: Guru
Nominated: Zee Cine Award for Best Music Director (2008)
Movie: Guru
Nominated: Zee Cine Award for Best Background Music (2008)
Movie: Guru
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Music (2007)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Nominated: Zee Cine Award for Best Background Music (2007)
Movie: Rang De Basanti
Nominated: IIFA Award for Best Male Playback Singer (2007)
Song: Roobaroo ... Movie: Rang De Basanti
Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer (2007)
Song: Tere Bina ... Movie: Guru
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Background Music (2006)
Movie: Bose - The Forgotten Hero
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Background Music (2006)
Movie: Mangal Pandey - The Rising
Nominated: Zee Cine Award for Best Background Music (2005)
Movie: Mangal Pandey - The Rising
Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Music (2004)
Movie: Swades
Nominated: Screen Award for Best Music (2003)
Movie: The Legend Of Bhagat Singh