This man is known as India’s richest singer. He converted to Islam after his father passed away. Scroll down to read his name.
Published: September 19, 2025 1:16 PM IST
Music is a big part of Indian cinema. Without music, it is hard to bring life to the emotions shown on the big screen. Hence, Indian cinema has produced some of the greatest musicians of all time, who have given us such beautiful memories that even decades later, audiences still cherish them. As we discuss music, do you know who the highest-paid musician in India is? If not, then keep on reading.
Who is India’s Highest-Paid Singer?
The man considered the highest-paid musician was born into a Hindu family. However, after his father passed away, he took a drastic step in his life and converted to Islam. Today, he is one of the highest-paid singers in India. We are talking about none other than A.R. Rahman.
Was A.R. Rahman a Hindu?
A.R. Rahman was born in Madras to a Hindu family. His name was Dileep Kumar Rajagopal. His father was a music composer in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Rahman often observed his father at work, and over the years, he developed an interest in music. When Rahman was 4, he started learning to play the piano.
At the age of 9, Rahman lost his father, leaving the young boy with many responsibilities. Consequently, he had to work while studying, and he failed in school. In an old interview, he recalled that while his father was battling cancer, he met a Sufi saint.
A few days after his father’s death, Rahman met the same Sufi saint again and found peace in his conversations. After that, he and his family embraced Islam. Upon converting, he changed his name from Dileep Kumar to Allah Rakha Rahman. He was only 23 years old at the time.
A.R. Rahman Charges Rs 3 Crore for a Few Minutes
Rahman’s interest in music drew him into the film industry. He began recording his own compositions in 1991. In 1993, Mani Ratnam offered him work in the film Roja, for which Rahman received a fee of Rs 25,000. This movie earned him his first award.
Over the years, A.R. Rahman made headlines for his exceptional work, and eventually, he reached a point where he started charging Rs 3 crore per song. This made him India’s richest singer.
Two of his songs are listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The first is for singing Vande Mataram in different languages, and the second is for composing an original song. His net worth is estimated at approximately Rs 1,700 crore.
Story Highlights
- A.R. Rahman was born into a Hindu family, but after his father passed away, he converted to Islam.
- A.R. Rahman charges Rs 2–3 crore for one song.
- A.R. Rahman’s net worth is Rs 1,700 crore.
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