Rahman

Rahman (born Rashin Rahman in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) was considered as one of the superstars in Malayalam cinema in 1980s. Rahman had his schooling in Baldwin Boys High School in Bangalore, St Joseph's in Abu Dhabi, and Rex Higher Secondary School in Ooty, M.E.S Mampad College, Nilambur.

Six Feet Tall Rahman is married to Mehrunnisa. The couple has two children, Rushda and Alisha. Rahman is the co-brother of Oscar winner Music Director A. R. Rahman. A.R. Rahman married Actor Rahman's wife's elder sister Saira Banu.

Rahman's first Malayalam film Koodevide, became a big hit. After that he acted in many super hit films. Films like Kaanaamarayathu, Vaartha, Poomukhapadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu, etc. were superhits.

He was absent from the Malayalam film industry in late 90's as he concentrated in Tamil and Telugu fims. After a long absence, he acted in Mazhavil Koodaram which went on to become an average grosser, but the following films King Solomon and Hitlist, were flops. After another interval, he came back with the movie Dreams, as a Police officer. Another of his comeback movie was Black, alongside Mammootty. In 2008, he completed his silver jubilee as an actor. After Black, he acted in films such as Rajamanikyam, Mahasamudram, and Bhargavacharitham Moonnam Khandam. He was hero in films like Abraham and Lincoln and Nanma along with Kalabhavan Mani. He also acted in director Kamal's film Goal and Ranjith's Mohanlal film Rock N Roll.

Musafir produced by Pramod Pappan is one of the biggest production and expensive venture on Rahman till date. Rahman's first Tamil film was Nileve Malare which was released in 1986 and the director of the film was S. A. Chanderashekhar (Tamil actor Vijay's father) and the film was a big success. After that he acted in the films like Kanne Kannemuthe, Vasantharagam, Anpulla Appa (with Sivaji Ganeshan). In 1989, after the super hits of Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, Puriyatha Puthir, Nee Pathi Naan Pathi he shifted completely to Tamil and Telugu. Bharath Band is one of his big hits in Telugu. Rasaleela was the first Telugu movie Rahman acted which was released in 1986. In 1987 January Rahman purchased a house in Bangalore & moved to Bangalore (Jaya Nagar 9th block) from Kozhikode. In 1990 Rahman moved from Bangalore to Chennai.

Rahman performed superbly in the Tamil films Thoothukudi and Ram which was released in 2006 and 2005. Tamil film Ethiri (2004) was the first film Rahman dubbed in his own voice. He was the villain in the big hit Tamil film Billa, released in December 2007. In 2005 after a long gap in Telugu Rahman acted in Telugu film named Dhariyam, but it was a flop in the box office. The Telugu version of Malayalam film Abraham Lincoln released all over Andhra Pradesh and got good response. Rahman's latest Telugu film was Aalayam, directed by superhit director Muthyala Subbayya. The film was a big success among family audience in Andhra Pradesh. His new Tamil film Vamanan directed by Ahmed who has worked as assistant to director Kathir is doing good business all over South India. He has also acted in the Telugu remake of Billa which released in 27 March 2009 and was a super hit. In Rahman's latest Tamil film, Balam directed by Muralikrishna, Suhasini, his first heroine in the film Koodevide is also acting with him after a gap of 25 years.

Rahman got the state award for best supporting actor for his performance in the very first film Koodevide. He also got film critics award and Chamber award for this film. In 1984 he got the Kerala film Chamber Award for best actor for the film Ithiri poove chuvanna poove. Rahman got the Award for Trendsetter in the history of Malayalam cinema's 78 years at the Etisalat Everest Film awards held in Dubai in 2007. The public voted Rahman for this Award from the nominations including Kamal Hassan, Sreedevi, Manju Warrier and Nadhiya.

Rahman's Malayalam Film Manjadikkuru, directed by Anjali Menon bagged two Awards in International Film Festival, Kerala, 2008.

Prepared by: Dr. Susie Pazhavarical