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Last Updated: March 18, 2025, 10:32 IST
Dilip Kumar’s Transformation: The Journey of AR Rahman to Islam
AR Rahman, the acclaimed composer, recently made headlines with the announcement of his separation from his wife, Saira Banu. Born into a Hindu family, Rahman’s faith journey took a significant turn when he, along with his family, embraced Islam.
The deep-rooted friendship between AR Rahman and director Rajiv Menon has led to the creation of numerous unforgettable musical pieces. In a revealing interview with O2 India, Menon discussed their camaraderie, which dates back to the era before the landmark film “Roja.” He recounted how he began collaborating with a young and talented Rahman in various advertisements, setting the stage for their future success.
Menon shared an insightful glimpse into Rahman’s transition to Islam, recalling the time when spiritual guides, or fakirs, visited Rahman’s family from Gulbarga. These visits were significant in Rahman’s spiritual journey, and Menon played a vital role as a translator due to the family’s limited Hindi proficiency. He reflected on the challenges Rahman faced, particularly regarding cultural pressures and the responsibilities surrounding family matters, notably his sisters’ marriages. “Music was his anchor during those turbulent times,” he noted.
After the devastating loss of his father, AR Rahman, originally known as Dilip Kumar, underwent a profound transformation and converted to Islam. This change also included a new name, bestowed upon him by an astrologer—who interestingly was a Hindu. Reflecting on his previous name, Rahman expressed a lifelong desire for a change, feeling that his birth name did not align with his identity. “No disrespect to the legendary actor Dilip Kumar! Yet, my name never resonated with how I viewed myself,” he said in an interview with Dawn.
Elaborating on how he received his new name, Rahman recounted an episode involving an astrologer consulted for his sister’s horoscope shortly before they embarked on their Sufi journey. “I had been contemplating a name change, and the astrologer took a keen interest in me,” he recalled, highlighting the serendipitous nature of his spiritual and personal evolution.
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