Entertainment / Mon, 08 Jun 2026 News18

Hindu Music Composer Converted To Islam, Asked Mother To Find Him A Wife At 27, Divorced Her After 29 Years

Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 18:39 IST1 / 11 AR Rahman was born AS Dileep Kumar in Chennai in 1967. AR Rahman took on odd jobs alongside studying to support the family. His mother later added Allah Rakha after a dream — giving the world the name AR Rahman. The film's music changed Indian cinema overnight. 10 / 11 AR Rahman debuted with Roja in 1992 and never stopped.

Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 18:39 IST

1 / 11 AR Rahman was born AS Dileep Kumar in Chennai in 1967. His father RK Shekhar was a film score composer who died when Rahman was nine years old.

2 / 11 After his death the family rented out his musical equipment to earn income. AR Rahman took on odd jobs alongside studying to support the family. He kept working. Music was the only way out.

3 / 11 In 1986, ten years after his father died, the family reconnected with Sufi peer Karimullah Shah Qadri. The peer was unwell and Rahman's mother cared for him. There was a strong connection between them. Rahman converted to Islam at 23, along with his mother and sisters. A Hindu astrologer suggested the names Abdul Rahman and Abdul Rahim. Rahman chose the former instantly. His mother later added Allah Rakha after a dream — giving the world the name AR Rahman.

4 / 11 His first major film was Roja in 1992. His name had to be changed in the credits at the last minute before release — his mother insisted his new Muslim name appear on screen or not at all. Director Mani Ratnam agreed. The film's music changed Indian cinema overnight. Bombay followed Shah Rukh Khan's Dil Se and Aamir Khan's Lagaan.

5 / 11 Then came Slumdog Millionaire. Two Oscars. A Grammy. A BAFTA. The boy who had been told to beg on the streets had become the most awarded Indian musician in history.

6 / 11

In 1994 when he was 27, Rahman felt it was time to settle down. He asked his mother to find him a bride. He was too shy to approach girls himself. He met many women in his studio daily but never thought of any of them as a potential wife. He set three conditions — his wife had to be educated, had to love music, and had to have decent behaviour. His mother Kareema began the search.

7 / 11 Rahman's mother came across Saira's family at a shrine in Chennai. Rahman met Saira for the first time on January 6, 1995 — his own birthday. Their first meeting was brief. Most of their courtship happened over the phone. He asked her in English if she wanted to marry him. He also told her before marriage — "If we have planned dinner and a song comes up, we will have to ditch the dinner." She agreed. They married on March 12, 1995. She was 21. He was 27.

8 / 11 They have three children. Daughters Khatija and Raheema and son Ameen. Khatija followed her father into music and has composed for Tamil films. Ameen is also a musician. The family largely stayed out of public life -- Saira never gave interviews, never attended film events, and was rarely photographed. For 29 years she was a near-invisible presence beside one of the world's most famous musicians. No

9 / 11

On November 19, 2024, Saira's lawyer Vandana Shah issued a joint statement — "After many years of marriage, Mrs Saira and her husband AR Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate. This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them."

10 / 11 AR Rahman debuted with Roja in 1992 and never stopped. In three decades he composed for over 175 films — Bombay, Rangeela, Dil Se, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, Slumdog Millionaire, Rockstar, Taal, Saathiya, Rang De Basati.