AR Rahman reveals harsh childhood: 'My father worked three jobs just to keep us sheltered'

Dubai: Oscar-winning composer and singer AR Rahman has once again shed light on the difficult childhood that shaped his life and music. In a recent conversation on Nikhil Kamath's YouTube channel, Rahman spoke candidly about the "daily trauma" he witnessed growing up, recalling how financial instability overshadowed much of his early years.

Rahman revealed that his parents had faced extreme hardship, at times being forced onto the streets due to mounting financial pressures. He described how his father, musician RK Shekhar, took on three jobs at once to secure a permanent home for the family. Despite his father's relentless efforts, Rahman said the atmosphere at home was marked by constant uncertainty and emotional strain. "I was seeing trauma every day," he recalled, noting how such experiences profoundly shaped his worldview.

After his father's death when Rahman was just nine, the family's situation grew even more fragile. Rahman, still a child, was thrust into the world of work—performing in studios, playing for local bands and assisting composers to support his mother and siblings. Music, he said, became both a refuge and a responsibility.

Today, Rahman stands as one of India's most influential and globally recognised musicians, with two Academy Awards, two Grammys and countless hits across languages. Yet he acknowledges that his success is deeply rooted in the resilience forged during those difficult early years.

Rahman's honest reflection serves as a potent reminder that adversity, when faced with determination and hope, can shape extraordinary talent and character.