AR Rahman’s Daughter Khatija Makes Her Debut As Music Composer

While still a student, Khatija Rahman lent her voice to the Rajinikanth-starrer Enthiran (2010), a project she took on at the request of her father, Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman. Her melodious performance resonated deeply with audiences, catapulting her into the limelight. Overwhelmed by the sudden attention, Khatija stepped away from music for a few years. However, she returned with renewed strength, captivating listeners worldwide with her performances. "I am glad to be back. I look forward to forging soulful connections with art," says Khatija, who recently debuted as a composer with the Tamil film Minmini, directed by Halitha Shameem.

Khatija first connected with Halitha after watching her film Sillu Karupatti. “I messaged her to express how much I enjoyed it. Later, in 2022, she approached me to compose for Minmini, but I didn’t feel ready,” Khatija recalls. “We reconnected sometime later, and the film’s score still hadn’t been finalized. By then, I felt more prepared, and she believed I was the right fit. She had also listened to one of my unreleased independent songs and felt that its genre aligned with the film’s vibe.” Khatija began working on the film in February 2023, dedicating the next eight months to its completion.

Growing up in a family of musicians, it was only natural for Khatija to pursue a career in music. She started learning Carnatic music in third grade, later expanding her training to Hindustani classical music. In 2019, Khatija and her sister Raheema sang for U2’s Ahimsa. “We didn’t know we were singing for U2. Our father just asked us to sing a verse from the Thirukkural, and we did,” shares the 28-year-old singer-composer, who has collaborated with artists like Ricky Kej, Hesham Abdul Wahab Philips, Sami Yusuf, and Sterlin Nithya. She released her debut single Farishton in 2020, followed by her debut album Kuhu Kuhu—a collection of songs originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar—in 2023.

The first song from Coke Studio’s inaugural Tamil edition, Sagavaasi, where she collaborated with rapper Arivu, revealed a new side of Khatija as an artist. “It was overwhelming as it was my first time jamming in another studio,” she says. Khatija is now set to make her international debut as a composer with Lioness, written and directed by Kajri Babbar.

Looking ahead, Khatija is eager to work with directors who are willing to push creative boundaries. “In the last few months, I’ve received several offers,” she notes, adding that she enjoys incorporating world music influences into her compositions. “For the song Jananam in Minmini, my inspiration was Frozen.”

Outside of music, Khatija enjoys street shopping, visiting exhibitions, exploring immersive art experiences, and indulging in ghee dosas and sweets. “I love playing on swings and slides,” she says, while also advocating for financial independence for women. “A few years ago, I enrolled in a course called Women On Wealth (WOW) and learned how to invest. Financial independence is empowering; it ensures that love, not money, is the foundation of your relationships.”

Khatija is now preparing for her upcoming performance in Delhi on August 31. “I’ll be performing with my own band as part of the South Side Story Festival,” she shares. “Moving forward, I want to focus on releasing my independent songs, perhaps organizing a pop-up to support small businesses, and doing more shows with my band.”