Allah-Raksha Rahman (born A.S. Dileep Kumar) is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, musician and philanthropist. His works are noted for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements. Among his awards are two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 2010 by the Government of India. Rahman's body of work for film and stage has given him the nickname of "the Mozart of Madras", and Tamil commentators and fans call him Isai Puyal (English: the Musical Storm).
In 2009, Time included him on its list of the world's most influential people. The UK-based world-music magazine Songlines named him one of "Tomorrow's World Music Icons" in August 2011.
With an in-house studio (Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai), his film-scoring career began during the early 1990s with the Tamil film Roja. Working in India's film industries, international cinema and theatre, he is one of the world's all-time best-selling recording artists. In a notable two-decade career, he has been acclaimed for redefining contemporary Indian film music and contributing to the success of several films. Rahman has become a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for a number of causes and charities.
Academy Awards
Best Original Score
Known For
127 Hours
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Slumdog Millionaire
(2008)
Original Music Composer
Couples Retreat
(2009)
Original Music Composer
The Hundred-Foot Journey
(2014)
Music
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
(2007)
Original Music Composer
Amar Singh Chamkila
(2024)
Original Music Composer and Music Producer
People Like Us
(2012)
Original Music Composer
Guru
(2007)
Original Music Composer
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
(2001)
Music and Playback Singer
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I
(2022)
Original Music Composer
Blinded by the Light
(2019)
Music and Original Music Composer
Pelé: Birth of a Legend
(2016)
Original Music Composer
Rang De Basanti
(2006)
Original Music Composer
Bigil
(2019)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Million Dollar Arm
(2014)
Original Music Composer
Kannathil Muthamittal
(2002)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Full Filmography
Sound
The Mist
(1980)
Assistant Sound Designer
Adima Changala
(1981)
Music Supervision Assistant
Inspector Vikram
(1989)
Music Arranger
Roja
(1992)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Yoddha
(1992)
Original Music Composer
Thiruda Thiruda
(1993)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Pudhiya Mugam
(1993)
Original Music Composer
Uzhavan
(1993)
Original Music Composer
Gentleman
(1993)
Original Music Composer
Kizhakku Cheemayile
(1993)
Original Music Composer
Kadhalan
(1994)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Pavithra
(1994)
Original Music Composer
Vandicholai Chinraasu
(1994)
Original Music Composer
Super Police
(1994)
Playback Singer and Original Music Composer
Duet
(1994)
Original Music Composer
Gangmaster
(1994)
Original Music Composer
Karuththamma
(1994)
Original Music Composer
May Madham
(1994)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Pudhiya Mannargal
(1994)
Original Music Composer
The Gentleman
(1994)
Music
Rangeela
(1995)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Indira
(1995)
Scoring Mixer and Original Music Composer
Muthu
(1995)
Playback Singer and Original Music Composer
Bombay
(1995)
Playback Singer and Original Music Composer
Indian
(1996)
Original Music Composer
Anthimanthaarai
(1996)
Original Music Composer
Kadhal Desam
(1996)
Playback Singer and Original Music Composer
Mr. Romeo
(1996)
Original Music Composer
Love Birds
(1996)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Iruvar
(1997)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Fire
(1997)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Daud
(1997)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Ratchagan
(1997)
Original Music Composer
Minsara Kanavu
(1997)
Original Music Composer
Earth
(1998)
Original Music Composer
Jeans
(1998)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Dil Se..
(1998)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
(1998)
Original Music Composer
Kabhi Na Kabhi
(1998)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Mudhalvan
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Thakshak
(1999)
Music
Kadhalar Dhinam
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Padayappa
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Jodi
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Taj Mahal
(1999)
Original Music Composer
En Swasa Kaatre
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Taal
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Sangamam
(1999)
Original Music Composer
Love You Hamesha
(1999)
Music
Alaipayuthey
(2000)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Dil Hi Dil Mein
(2000)
Music
Fiza
(2000)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Pukar
(2000)
Music
Rhythm
(2000)
Original Music Composer
Kandukondain Kandukondain
(2000)
Original Music Composer
Thenali
(2000)
Original Music Composer
Nayak: The Real Hero
(2001)
Original Music Composer
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
(2001)
Music and Playback Singer
One 2 Ka 4
(2001)
Original Music Composer
Paarthale Paravasam
(2001)
Original Music Composer
Kannathil Muthamittal
(2002)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Alli Arjuna
(2002)
Music
Baba
(2002)
Original Music Composer
Saathiya
(2002)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
(2002)
Original Music Composer
Kadhal Virus
(2002)
Original Music Composer
Warriors of Heaven and Earth
(2003)
Original Music Composer
Tehzeeb
(2003)
Music
Parasuram
(2003)
Music
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
(2003)
Music
Boys
(2003)
Original Music Composer
Udhaya
(2004)
Music
Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities
(2004)
Music
Kangalal Kaidhu Sei
(2004)
Music
Aayitha Ezhuthu
(2004)
Original Music Composer
Yuva
(2004)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Naani
(2004)
Original Music Composer
New
(2004)
Original Music Composer
Swades
(2004)
Original Music Composer
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
(2004)
Original Music Composer
Mangal Pandey - The Rising
(2005)
Original Music Composer
Ah Aah: Anbe Aaruyire
(2005)
Original Music Composer
Water
(2005)
Original Music Composer
Kisna
(2005)
Music
Varalaru
(2006)
Music
Sillunu Oru Kaadhal
(2006)
Original Music Composer
Rang De Basanti
(2006)
Original Music Composer
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
(2007)
Original Music Composer
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
(2007)
Original Music Composer
Guru
(2007)
Original Music Composer
Sivaji: The Boss
(2007)
Original Music Composer
Provoked: A True Story
(2007)
Original Music Composer
The Lord of the Rings the Musical - Original London Production - Promotional Documentary
(2007)
Music Score Producer
Slumdog Millionaire
(2008)
Original Music Composer
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
(2008)
Original Music Composer
Ghajini
(2008)
Original Music Composer
Yuvvraaj
(2008)
Playback Singer and Original Music Composer
Jodhaa Akbar
(2008)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Sakkarakatti
(2008)
Original Music Composer
Delhi-6
(2009)
Music
Blue
(2009)
Original Music Composer
Couples Retreat
(2009)
Original Music Composer
Passage
(2009)
Music
Raavan
(2010)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
127 Hours
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Jhootha Hi Sahi
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Enthiran
(2010)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Raavanan
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa
(2010)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Ye Maaya Chesave
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Komaram Puli
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Ada... A Way of Life
(2010)
Original Music Composer
Rockstar
(2011)
Original Music Composer
Ekk Deewana Tha
(2012)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
People Like Us
(2012)
Original Music Composer
Jab Tak Hai Jaan
(2012)
Original Music Composer
Godfather
(2012)
Music
Kadal
(2013)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Maryan
(2013)
Original Music Composer
Raanjhanaa
(2013)
Original Music Composer
Kaaviya Thalaivan
(2014)
Original Music Composer
Highway
(2014)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
The Hundred-Foot Journey
(2014)
Music
Nanak Shah Fakir
(2014)
Music
Kochadaiiyaan
(2014)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Lingaa
(2014)
Playback Singer and Original Music Composer
Lekar Hum Deewana Dil
(2014)
Original Music Composer
Million Dollar Arm
(2014)
Original Music Composer
O Kadhal Kanmani
(2015)
Original Music Composer
Tamasha
(2015)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
I
(2015)
Original Music Composer
Muhammad: The Messenger of God
(2015)
Music
Pelé: Birth of a Legend
(2016)
Original Music Composer
24
(2016)
Original Music Composer
Mohenjo Daro
(2016)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo
(2016)
Original Music Composer
Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada
(2016)
Original Music Composer
Jugni
(2016)
Playback Singer
Kaatru Veliyidai
(2017)
Original Music Composer
Ok Jaanu
(2017)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Mom
(2017)
Original Music Composer
Mersal
(2017)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Sachin: A Billion Dreams
(2017)
Original Music Composer
Viceroy's House
(2017)
Original Music Composer
Cinema Veeran
(2017)
Original Music Composer
2.0
(2018)
Original Music Composer
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
(2018)
Original Music Composer
Sarkar
(2018)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Sanju
(2018)
Original Music Composer
Beyond the Clouds
(2018)
Original Music Composer
Sarvam Thaala Mayam
(2019)
Original Music Composer
Bigil
(2019)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
The Fakir of Venice
(2019)
Original Music Composer
PM Narendra Modi
(2019)
Original Music Composer
Blinded by the Light
(2019)
Music and Original Music Composer
Dil Bechara
(2020)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn
(2020)
Original Music Composer
Shikara
(2020)
Original Music Composer
Atrangi Re
(2021)
Original Music Composer
99 Songs
(2021)
Original Music Composer
Mimi
(2021)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
No Land's Man
(2021)
Original Music Composer
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I
(2022)
Original Music Composer
Cobra
(2022)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Heropanti 2
(2022)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Iravin Nizhal
(2022)
Original Music Composer
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu
(2022)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Malayankunju
(2022)
Original Music Composer
Le Musk
(2022)
Original Music Composer
Mili
(2022)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Documenting the World's First Non-Linear Single Shot Film
(2022)
Music
Tell It Like a Woman
(2022)
Original Music Composer
Pippa
(2023)
Original Music Composer
Ponniyin Selvan: Part II
(2023)
Original Music Composer
Pathu Thala
(2023)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Maamannan
(2023)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh
(2023)
Music
The Goat Life
(2024)
Original Music Composer
Ayalaan
(2024)
Original Music Composer and Playback Singer
Lal Salaam
(2024)
Original Music Composer
Maidaan
(2024)
Music
Amar Singh Chamkila
(2024)
Original Music Composer and Music Producer
Lahore 1947
(2025)
Original Music Composer
Acting
Bollywood - Indiens klingendes Kino
(2005)
Self
The Lord of the Rings the Musical - Original London Production - Promotional Documentary
(2007)
Self
Endhiran Making of Robot
(2010)
Self
The Distortion of Sound
(2014)
Self
Jai Ho
(2014)
Self
One Heart: The A.R. Rahman Concert Film
(2017)
Self
Roots
(2017)
Bigil
(2019)
Special Appearance in "Singappenney" Song
Rahman
(2019)
A.R. Rahman Live in Concert Expo 2020 Dubai
(2021)
Himself
Aaraattu
(2022)
Self
Crew
Production
Writing
Directing