AR Rahman, turned ..

As the Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman, turned 55 today, we take a look at his birth, family, education, career, religion, net worth, and more.

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the maverick composer AR Rahman, the repository of raga renown, turns 55. I confess I am not a major Rahman fan.

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Some of his soundtracks notably the ones for Mani Ratnam’s Roja, Bombay and Dil Se are pathbreaking. But much of the rest is repetitive and, day I say, even bland.

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Religion Islam (converted from Hinduism in his early 20s) Family Musician RK Shekhar (Father) Kareema Begum (Mother, born as Kashturi)

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“Lata Mangeshkar: “AR Rahman bahot talented insaan hain. I’ve sung very few songs for him.

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I love 'Jiya jale' in 'Dil Se', 'Khamoshiyan gun-guna lagi' (1 2 Ka 4) , 'O paalan hare' (Lagaan) and 'Luka chuppi' (Rang De Basanti).

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AR Rahman and I came together for the first time for the evergreen 'Jiya jale' in Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se. Then we collaborated on a prayer-song 'Ek tu hi bharosa' in Boney Kapoor/Raj Santoshi’s Pukar.

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Roja’s music was a success, not just in Tamil, but also in Hindi, and it caught Rahman by complete surprise. “We didn’t even know that the music was going to work in Hindi, but it was so big in Hindi as well.

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