Born A. S. Dileep Kumar on 6 January 1967, in Madras (now Chennai), India, the composer, songwriter, music producer and philanthropist made his mark under his Islamic name – Allah-Rakha Rahman, more commonly just A. R. Rahman, the so-called “Mozart of Madras”. One of the world’s most famous and best paid composers, Rahman has won countless awards for his work, including two Grammy Awards, one Golden Globe, one BAFTA Award and two Academy Awards, and he has distinguished himself in particular by producing soundtracks and background music for numerous blockbuster films, including directors’ Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan’s 2008 drama “Slumdog Millionaire”.
So just how rich is A.R. Rahman? Sources indicate that A.R. is very comfortable, with an impressive estimated net worth of $280 million in 2015, accumulated from his career in the music industry spanning almost 30 years since his debut in 1987.
A. R. Rahman Net Worth $280 Million
A. R. Rahman comes from a history of music, growing up helping his father, R. K. Shekhar, compose soundtracks for various films in their studio, including providing keyboard performances. Unfortunately, Rahman’s father died when the boy was only nine, but the future world-famous composer continued to remain part of the music industry – starting to play in the orchestra of his late father’s good friend, the Malayalam composer M. K. Arjunan. Rahman’s blossoming talents were quick to attract attention, and he soon received a grant to study at London’s Trinity College of Music. When he was 23, Rahman and his whole family converted to Islam, and the composer changed his name to one that would soon become famous worldwide – A. R. Rahman.
Rahman’s professional career took off quickly – in 1992, he produced his first film background score and soundtrack for director Mani Ratnam’s Tamil drama film “Roja”, which met with astounding success – later that year, Rahman attended the National Film Awards to receive his first Silver Lotus award for best music director. In the same year, Rahman opened his own studio, “Panchathan Record Inn”, and what originated as an independent effort in his backyard has since grown to be one of the world’s finest and most advanced recording studios. Rahman continued to work in Tamil film for years, enjoying particular success with his composition for Mani Ratnam’s drama “Bombay” – to date, more than 12 million copies of the film’s soundtrack have been sold across the world, giving Rahman’s net worth a massive boost. Not long after, A. R. Rahman would go on to work on several world-famous blockbusters, winning recognition for his work with the 2008 drama “Slumdog Millionaire”, co-directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan and featuring lead actor Dev Patel, and then working with Danny Boyle on his biographical drama film “127 Hours”, starring American actor James Franco. Overall he has produced soundtracks for 12 films, as well as background music for many more.
Rahman is also known for his prolific production of what might be called concert music, including Vande Mataram celebrating Indis’s 50th anniversary of independence. Further, as well as performing almost continually in halls around the world during three extensive tours in the last 10 years, he choreogaphed film-dancing for a Tamil troupe which performed with Michael Jackson and Friends at his Munich concert in 1999. Other notable works have included his compositions being performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2010; a 2011 collaboration with Michael Bolton on his album, “Gems – The Duets Collection”; and being part of SuperHeavy, a group formed by Mick Jagger in 2011 with Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Damian Marley which released a self-titled album featuring Jagger singing on Rahman’s composition, “Satyameva Jayate” (“The Truth Alone Triumphs”).
A talented, musically flexible, wealthy and successful man, Rahman’s net worth has led many to hail him as one of the world’s highest-paid composers. However, he is also an active humanitarian, giving back to society through his extensive involvement in various charitable causes, including such foundations as the Stop TB Partnership and Save the Children India.
In his personal life, A. R. Rahman lives with his wife Saira Banu; they married in 1995 and have three children.
