AR Rahman's faith transition aided his musical journey

Rajiv Menon, a director and cinematographer, recently talked about his close relationship with famous composer AR Rahman. In an interview, he discussed Rahman's journey of converting to Islam and how music played a vital role during this time. AR Rahman, originally named Dilip Kumar, changed his name and religion after the death of his father. Menon recalled witnessing Rahman's transformation and the pressure he faced from his family, especially regarding his sisters' marriages. He mentioned that music helped Rahman cope with these challenges. Menon explained that Rahman believed his problems were given to him by God to help him find clarity through music. Rahman's conversion also opened the door to Hindustani music and Qawwalis, which boosted his musical career. Menon noted that learning about these styles enriched Rahman's compositions and allowed them to reach a wider audience. In recent news, Rahman was hospitalized for dehydration, but his son AR Ameen confirmed that he is recovering well.