Chandigarh 19 march 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): AR Rahman was born into a Tamil Hindu family. His parents named him Dileep Kumar, but after converting to Islam, he changed his name to Allah Rakha Rahman. At the age of 23, the experienced musician changed his religion, but initially, his family was against his decision. They did not want him to accept Islam.
Recently, filmmaker Rajiv Menon, who has been close to AR Rahman throughout his journey, openly talked about his conversion to Islam.
Rajiv Menon Helped AR Rahman Convert
In an interview with O2 India, Rajiv Menon revealed that he played a role in helping Dileep Kumar, now AR Rahman, in his religious conversion. According to the filmmaker, the Sufi saint who guided AR Rahman did not understand Hindi, so Rajiv had to translate everything for him.
Family Was Against AR Rahman’s Decision
Rajiv Menon stated that Rahman faced immense pressure from his family, as they did not want him to convert from Hinduism to Islam. His sister’s religious conversion also caused problems in her marriage, which added to the pressure on him.
Music Helped Rahman in Difficult Times
According to Rajiv Menon, music played a crucial role in helping AR Rahman through this challenging phase of his life. He found peace and comfort through music, which strengthened his spiritual journey. His exploration of Indian classical music and Qawwalis deepened his connection to spirituality and enriched his music.
Unlike many South Indian musicians, AR Rahman gained immense popularity even in North India, making his journey unique.
Recent Health Issues
Recently, AR Rahman was in the news due to health concerns. The singer and composer had to be admitted to the hospital due to dehydration. However, he has now recovered, and his condition is stable.
Summary: Discover how and why music legend AR Rahman embraced Islam, transitioning from Hinduism to deepen his spiritual connection with Allah.