Khatija Rahman


Khatija Rahman is a music composer and singer from Chennai, India.

Life and career

Khatija Rahman made her playback debut in the acclaimed 2010 sci-fi action film Enthiran, singing the title track in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi alongside musical legends including her father, A. R. Rahman, and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
She was overwhelmed with the good response to the song and hence took a 7-year break and focused only on her studies and non-profit work. She resumed training in 2018 and got back into music.
In 2019, she collaborated with the iconic Irish band U2 on their single "Ahimsa", which emphasised the power of non-violence. She also performed the track during U2's Joshua Tree Tour in Mumbai the same year.
Khatija released her debut single, "Farishton", in 2020. The song, composed and produced by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Munna Shaokath Ali, was a meditative invocation of solidarity and cultural harmony. Its music video was recognised at multiple international film festivals and received an honourable mention at the 2021 Los Angeles Film Awards. In the same year, she was a featured artist on Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej’s song "Iltaja", a track highlighting sustainability.
She continued to showcase her versatility with film songs, including "Rock A Bye Baby" from Mimi , "Tum Bhi Raahi " from Mili , and "Kaayam" from Iravin Nizhal. She also contributed vocals to Rahman's 2022 Tamizh anthem "Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye", collaborating with multiple artists.
In 2023, Khatija released her debut album Kuhu Kuhu, a collection of melodic renditions paying tribute to the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. The all-acoustic album features the Firdaus Orchestra, an esteemed all-female ensemble from the United Arab Emirates. Its lead single, “Piya Tose”, was accompanied by a music video symbolising global representation and collaboration. She also made her debut as a music composer with the film Minmini, releasing the lead single “Iru Perum Nadhigal”, a song centered on self-love and healing. That year, she further demonstrated her vocal range with songs such as “Chinnanjiru ” from Ponniyin Selvan: II , "Pranama Pranama" from Nayakudu, and her Coke Studio Tamil single "Sagavaasi" with Arivu, which received widespread acclaim.

Discography

Film songs

Film background scores

Non-film songs

Albums

Compositions

Voice-overs

Live performances

Talks and speeches

Rahman has also spoken at distinguished platforms such as the UEF World Summit and TEFCON in recent years.
DateConferenceThemeOrganiserVenueNotes
5 December 2020UEF World SummitEntrepreneur Success StoriesUnited Economic Forum Chennai
22 October 2021TEDx TalksArt, Diversity and Activism in the Digital AgeTedxYouth@LMGCLa Martinière Girls' College, Lucknow
1 July 2022TEFCONThe Impact of Soft Power in the Knowledge EconomyFederation of Tamil Sangams of North America St. John's University
13 August 2022International Youth ConferenceGift of KindnessHeartfulness, UNESCO MGIEP, AICTEKanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad
13 August 2022All About MusicMusic conferenceTaj Lands End, MumbaiSpeaker
5 March 2023Women of PowerBeing a woman in the entertainment industryThe News MinuteTag Centre, Alwarpet, ChennaiGuest Speaker
16 March 2024JFW Movie Awards 2024Award ceremonyJFW - Just For WomenChennai Trade CentreAward Presenter
26 May 2024HER StoryEmpowerment and InspirationMediaOne TVDe Montfort University, Academic City, Dubai
10 October 2025Break the Silence: A Mental Health Art & Film FestivalCinema as Mirror: Mental Health in FilmYRG FoundationBritish Council Library, ChennaiPanellist
10 January 2026Margazhi UtsavA grand festival of Carnatic songs and BharatanatyamVelammal NexusVelammal Hall, ChennaiGuest of Honour

Honours and awards