Introduction
Rahman (born Rashin Rahman) is an Indian film actor who has starred in over 150 films, primarily Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. 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 after the 2000s.
Personal life
He was born on 23 May 1967 in Kozhikode. His family originally hails from Nilambur, Malappuram. He is born as eldest among two children to K. M. A. Rahman and Savi. He has a younger sister Shameema.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 pre-university degree at M.E.S. Mampad College, Malappuram.
He 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, Chilambu, Thammil Thammil, Pappan Priyappetta Pappan, Uyarangalil, Vaartha, Upaharam, Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kathu, Ee Thanalil Ithiri Nerum, Ee Lokam Evide Kure Manushyar, Kandu Kandarinju, Mukthi, Charithram, Kaalal Pada, Veena Meettiya Vilangukal and Aparatha.
He was absent from the Malayalam film industry in the early 1990s as he concentrated on Tamil and Telugu films. After a long absence, he acted in Mazhavilkoodaram, King Soloman 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 Moonam Khandam. He was the hero in films such as Abraham & Lincoln and Nanma, along with Kalabhavan Mani. He also acted in director 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. 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.
Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru is his latest Tamil movie which is an investigation thriller in genre. The film won high reviews and became a blockbuster at the box office.
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 for 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
- Asianet Film Awards: Best Actor in Negative Role for Ranam -2018
TV serials
- 1996-1998 :Kadhal Pagadai - Tamil television soap - By K. Balachandar (Sun TV)
- 2013: Jagritha -Malayalam television soap -(Kairali TV)
- Reality show as Judge
- Super Jodi (2010) -(Surya TV) -Malayalam
Awards
- Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor - 1983 - Koodevide
- Film Federation Chamber Award - 1984 - Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove
- Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor - 1985 - Chilambu
- Etisalat Everest Film Awards - 2007 - Trendsetter in the History of Malayalam Cinema's 78 Years
- Padmarajan Award - 2015 - Lifetime Achievement
- MGR Sivaji Academy Award - 2016 - Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru
- Madras Television Award - 2017 - Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru
- Asianet film awards -2019- Ranam