Renowned Indian music composer AR Rahman, originally named Dilip Kumar, disclosed his initial discomfort with his birth name, attributing it to a lack of personal resonance rather than any disrespect towards the esteemed actor Dilip Kumar. In a significant spiritual transformation at the age of 23, Rahman and his family converted to Islam, a decision that profoundly shaped his musical journey by intertwining his faith and mystical beliefs into his compositions.
In Nasreen Munni Kabir’s biography, “A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music,” Rahman recounted a fascinating anecdote revealing that his Muslim name was actually suggested by a Hindu astrologer. Expressing his dissatisfaction with his former name, Rahman recalled a pivotal encounter when, contemplating a name change, an astrologer remarked on his charismatic aura. The astrologer proposed two names, “Abdul Rahman” and “Abdul Rahim,” ultimately inspiring Rahman to adopt the name “Rahman” due to its immediate appeal. Subsequently, his mother appended “Allah Rakha,” translating to “protected by God,” culminating in his identity as A.R. Rahman.
Simultaneously, Rahman is actively involved in the creation of “Tere Ishq Mein,” a project reuniting him with director Aanand L Rai following their collaborations on “Raanjhanaa” and “Atrangi Re.” Noteworthy among his upcoming endeavors is Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana,” where he will join forces with Hans Zimmer in a groundbreaking partnership, marking the first-ever collaborative effort between the two distinguished Oscar-winning composers.