Allah Rakha Rahman, born A.S. Dileep Kumar on 6 January 1967 in Madras (Chennai), is one of the most globally honoured composers in Indian history — winner of 2 Academy Awards (Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Slumdog Millionaire, 2009), 2 Grammys, 6 National Film Awards, and the Padma Vibhushan (2010). He converted to Islam in 1989, changing his name to Allah Rakha Rahman.

His Parents

Father: R.K. Shekhar (died 1976) — Malayalam-Tamil film music composer/arranger; died of an undiagnosed illness when Rahman was 9.

Mother: Kareema Begum (formerly Kashturi) — initially Hindu, converted to Islam alongside her family in 1989; alive today.

His Sisters

Kanchana Khurshid — elder sister.

Raihanah Rahman — sister; music producer.

Talat Rahman — sister.

His Wife: Saira Banu

Saira Banu Rahman, married Rahman in 1995; their separation was announced in November 2024 after 29 years of marriage.

Their Children

Khatija Rahman, born 1995 — daughter; singer and composer.

Raheema Rahman, born 1997 — daughter; singer.

A.R. Ameen (Ameen Rahman), born 2002 — son; singer.

The Rahman Family Tree at a Glance

Father: R.K. Shekhar (died 1976) — film composer.

Mother: Kareema Begum née Kashturi.

Sisters: Kanchana Khurshid; Raihanah Rahman (music producer); Talat Rahman.

Wife: Saira Banu Rahman (m. 1995, separation announced November 2024).

Children: Khatija Rahman (b. 1995, composer); Raheema Rahman (b. 1997, singer); A.R. Ameen (b. 2002, singer).

A.R. Rahman:

  • Born A.S. Dileep Kumar, 6 January 1967, Madras
  • Father died when he was 9; family struggled financially; sold his father's musical instruments
  • Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan; sound engineer in his teens
  • Trinity College of Music, London (Bachelor degree)
  • Composing debut: Roja (1992)
  • Notable scores: Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Dil Se (1998), Lagaan (2001), Rang De Basanti (2006), Slumdog Millionaire (2008, 2 Oscars), Rockstar (2011), Lal Singh Chaddha (2022)
  • 2 Academy Awards (2009); 2 Grammy Awards (2010); 6 National Film Awards; Padma Vibhushan (2010); Padma Bhushan (2000)

What the Rahman Family Story Teaches Us

A film-composer father who died when his son was 9. A widow mother who raised the family through difficult years. Three sisters, one a music producer. A family conversion to Islam in 1989. A long marriage that ended in 2024. Three children all in music.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Rahman story carries the same lesson. Family religious changes are real entries on the tree. The 1989 family conversion to Islam is part of who the Rahmans are. Write down the religious changes — to Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or any other faith — that members of your family went through. They are part of the record.

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