Made his debut as a film composer in Mani Ratnam's Roja (1992), for which he became the first debutante to win a National Film Awards for Best Music Direction
Besides his many international award wins, he is also a four-time National Film Award winner and he has received a total of 15 Filmfare Awards
After receiving the Padma Shri in 2000, he received the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2010
The Indian National Congress awarded him the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 2010
Composed the theme song for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, titled "jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto"
Whilst receiving an honourary doctorate from Miami University in 2012, he mentioned he had received a personal dinner invitation from US president Barak Obama and his family
Runs his own charitable organisation, the A
R
Rahman Foundation, which supports various causes, and in 2008 openend the KM Music Conservatory
Awards
2016Filmfare Awards-Best Music Director:nominated
2014Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:nominated
2014Screen Awards-Best Music Director:nominated
2014Filmfare Awards-Best Music Director:nominated
2013Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:nominated
2013International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:nominated
2012Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2012Screen Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2012Filmfare Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2012International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner
2011BAFTA Film Awards-Best Music:nominated
2011Golden Globe-Best Original Score - Motion Picture:nominated
2011Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Song:winner
2010Filmfare Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2010International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:nominated
2010Oscar-Best Achievement in Music (Original Song):nominated
2010Oscar-Best Achievement in Music (Original Score):nominated
2010Screen Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2009Critics' Choice Awards-Best Composer:winner
2009BAFTA Film Awards-Best Music:winner
2009Grammy-Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:winner
2009Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:winner
2009Filmfare Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2009International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:nominated
2009Screen Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2009Golden Globe-Best Original Score - Motion Picture:winner
2008Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2008Filmfare Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2008International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner
2008San Diego Film Critics Association-Best Score:winner
2008Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Score:winner
2008Oscar-Best Achievement in Music (Original Song):nominated
2008Oscar-Best Achievement in Music (Original Score):winner
2007International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner
2007Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2006Global India Film Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2003International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner
2003Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2002International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner
2002International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner
2002Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2002Zee Cine Awards-Best Music Director:winner
2001International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:nominated
2000International Indian Film Academy Awards-Best Music Direction:winner