Birthday special: Eight facts you didn't know about AR Rahman

Music mastero AR Rahman turns 49 today. Born in 1967, the ace music composer and double Oscar winner has a legendary career despite humble beginnings. As Rahman turns a year older today, we bring you some interesting, yet lesser-known facts about him.

-As a child, Rahman had wanted to become a computer engineer.

-He was apparently suspended from school at the age of fifteen due to his inconsistent attendance record.

-In a book called 'A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music', the music mastero is quoted as saying, "I wanted to be a computer engineer when I was a kid. Electronic gadgets and technology fascinated me."

-It is common knowledge that AR Rahman converted to Islam, but most people are not aware of the fact that his birth name was Dileep Kumar. Also, coincidentally his wife's name is Saira Bano!

-Rahman shares his birthday with his son Ameen, who was also born on January 6.

-Before becoming a music composer, Rahman was a keyboardist in a Chennai-based band called Nemesis Avenue, which also included his childhood friend and singer Suresh Peters.

-Contrary to popular belief, Rahman's first film was not 'Roja'. He composed music for the first time for a Malyalam film called 'Yodha'.

-The music composer's Oscar-winning song 'Jai Ho' from the film 'Slumdog Millionaire', was initially composed for the Salman Khan starrer- Yuvraaj. However, the song was not included in the film's playlist.