Rahman (actor)

Rahman (born Rashin Rahman) is an Indian film actor who has starred in over a 150 films, primarily Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films.^[1] In Tamil and Telugu cinema, he is also known by the screen names Raghuman and Raghu.

Rahman made his debut in Koodevide (1983), for which he won his first Kerala State Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was a popular teen idol in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s, later on he became a lead actor in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He eventually shifted to Tamil and Telugu films during the 1990s. He did make a comeback in Malayalam films since 2004 and has been acting in leading and supporting roles in Tamil and Telugu films post-2000s.^[2]

Personal life

He was born on May 23, 1967, in Abu Dhabi. His family originally hails from Nilambur, Malappuram. He was educated at Baldwin Boys' High School, Bangalore, St Joseph's School in Abu Dhabi, and Rex Higher Secondary School, Ooty, and pursued a preuniversity degree atM.E.S. Mampad College, Malappuram.^[3]

He is married and has two children. His wife Meherunnisa is the sister of music director A.R. Rahman's wife Saira Banu.

Film career

Malayalam films

Rahman's first Malayalam film was Koodevide, which became a big hit. He acted in the films of almost all the major Malayalam directors at that time. Other popular films in which he appeared are Kanamarayathu, Uyarangalil, Vaartha, Poomukhapadiyil Ninneyum Kathu, Ee Thanalil Ethiri Neram, Ee Lokam Evide Kure Manushyar, Kandu Kandarinju and Aparatha.

He was absent from the Malayalam film industry in the late 1990s as he concentrated on Tamil and Telugu films. After a long absence, he acted in Mazhavil Koodaram, King Solomon and Hitlist. After another interval, he came back with the movie Dreams, playing the role of a police officer. Another of his comeback movies 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 the hero in films like Abraham and Lincoln and Nanma along with Kalabhavan Mani. He also acted in director of Kamal's film Goal and Ranjith's Mohanlal film Rock & Roll. Another one was Moss & Cat, directed by Fazil with Dileep as his co-star.

Rahman appeared in the film Kerala Cafe, in the segment titled "Island Express", under the debutant director Shankar Rama Krishnan (assistant director of Ranjith). Musafir, produced by Pramod Pappan, was one of Rahman's biggest productions and most expensive ventures to date.

His latest Roshan Andrews movie Mumbai Police was a big success in Kerala. Prithviraj was another hero of this film.

Tamil and Telugu films

Rahman's first Tamil film was Nilave Malare, which was released in 1986; the director of the film was S. A. Chandrasekhar (Tamil actor Vijay's father). He subsequently appeared in Kanne Kaniyamuthe, Vasantha Raagam and Anbulla Appa (with Sivaji Ganeshan). In 1989, after appearing in Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, Puriyaadha Pudhir and Nee Pathi Naan Pathi, he shifted completely to Tamil and Telugu. He is known with the screen name Raghu in Telugu movies. Bharath Band is one of his big hits in Telugu. Rasaleela was the first Telugu movie Rahman acted in; it was released in 1986. In January 1987, Rahman moved from Kozhikode to Bangalore. In 1990, he moved from Bangalore to Chennai.

In 1999 he acted in the Tamil film Sangamam, directed by Suresh Krishna, which depicted the story of a feud between classical and folk dance. The music of the film was composed by A. R. Rahman. Rahman then performed in the Tamil films Raam and Thoothukudi, which were released in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The Tamil film Ethiri (2004) was the first film Rahman dubbed in his own voice. He was the villain in the Tamil film Billa, released in December 2007. In 2005, after a long gap in Telugu, Rahman acted in the Telugu film Dhariyam. The Telugu version of the Malayalam film Abraham Lincoln was released in Andhra Pradesh and was well received. Rahman's next Telugu film was Aalayam, directed by Muthyala Subbaiah.

His Tamil film Vaamanan, directed by Ahmed (who has worked as assistant to director Kathir), did well throughout South India.He acted in the Telugu movie Sri Srimathi Satyabhaama. He also acted in the Telugu remake of Billa, which released on 27 March 2009. Rahman's latest Telugu film is Balam, directed by Muralikrishna. Suhasini, his first heroine from the film Koodevide, appeared alongside him in this film after a gap of 25 years.

Rahman's next Telugu film, Simha, was released worldwide on 30 April 2010. Simha went on to become the highest grosser of 2010, and the 5th highest grossing movie in the Telugu Film Industry. He appeared in Oosaravelli and Vanthaan Vendraan. He is set to star with Balakrishna.

Singam II is Rahman's latest Tamil film, directed by Hari, starring Suriya in the title role.

Awards

Rahman received the State Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in his very first film, Koodevide. He also received the Film Critics Award and Chamber Award for this film.

In 1984 he received the Kerala Film Chamber Award for Best Actor for the film Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove.

Rahman received 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, received two awards at the 2008 International Film Festival in Kerala.

• Kerala State Film Awards: Second Best Actor-1983 – Koodevide
• Kerala Film Critics Award: Kerala Film Critics Award for Second Best Actor|Second Best Actor-1984
• Kerala Film Chamber Award for Best Actor for the film Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove - 1984
• Award for Trendsetter in the history of Malayalam cinema's 78 years at the Etisalat Everest Film awards held in Dubai - 2007
• Padmarajan Award for lifetime achievement - 2015

Filmography

Malayalam films

Tamil films

Telugu films

TV serials

1. Kadhal Pagadai - Tamil television soap - By K. Balachandar
2. Jagratha-Malayalam television soap directed by Unni cherian

References

External links

• Official website
• Rahman at the Internet Movie Database
• "Rahman: 1967-". Malayalam Music & Movie Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2016-07-23. 
• Manorama interview