While still in school, Khatija Rahman sang for the Rajinikanth-starrer Enthiran (2010) at the behest of her father, Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman. Her melodious voice struck a chord with the listeners, putting her in the spotlight. Overwhelmed by the attention, Khatija took a break from music for a few years.
But she emerged stronger, and today, she has charmed audiences worldwide with her performances. “I am glad to be back. I look forward to having soulful connections with art,” says Khatija, who recently made her debut as a composer with the Tamil film Minmini, directed by Halitha Shameem.
Khatija first got in touch with Halitha after watching her film, Sillu Karupatti. “I messaged her to say how much I liked it. Later, in 2022, she asked me if I would like to compose for her Minmini, but I felt I was not ready,” she says.
“We reconnected sometime later and the film score hadn’t happened yet. I felt more ready to do the film and she felt I would be the right fit for it. She had listened to one of my independent songs (which is yet to be released) as well and felt that the genre worked with the film’s vibe.
” Khatija started work on the film in February 2023, and devoted the following eight months to it. Coming from a family of musicians, it was natural for Khatija to take up music as a career. She began learning Carnatic music, and later Hindustani classical, when she was in Class III.
In 2019, Khatija and her sister Raheema sang for U2’s Ahimsa. “We .