From AR Rahman to Dharmendra: 8 celebrities who converted to Islam

First Published Jun 1, 2019, 12:58 PM IST

Here’s a list of celebrities who converted to Islam.

Many celebrities have converted to Islam and are now practicing Muslims, including several that you may find surprising.

Many celebrities have converted to Islam and are now practicing Muslims, including several that you may find surprising.

Mahesh Bhatt: Popular Indian film director and producer. He is the father of well known actresses Alia Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. He converted to Islam to marry Soni Razdan. As per reports, Mahesh does not practice the religion

Mahesh Bhatt: Popular Indian film director and producer. He is the father of well known actresses Alia Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. He converted to Islam to marry Soni Razdan. As per reports, Mahesh does not practice the religion

A R Rahman: Rahman was born in a Hindu family as AS Dileep Kumar. He later converted to Islam and changed his name to AR Rahman ( Allah Rakka Rahman). He is an Oscar winning Indian music composer and singer. At the age of 23, he converted to Islam along with his family members. He said, “Its not dramatic as it sounds. My family was isolated and when Sufism concepts influenced me, I started believing Islam.”

A R Rahman: Rahman was born in a Hindu family as AS Dileep Kumar. He later converted to Islam and changed his name to AR Rahman ( Allah Rakka Rahman). He is an Oscar winning Indian music composer and singer. At the age of 23, he converted to Islam along with his family members. He said, “Its not dramatic as it sounds. My family was isolated and when Sufism concepts influenced me, I started believing Islam.”

Dharmendra was married even before entering the film industry. In order to marry his love interest, Hema Malini, Dharmendra converted to Islam and changed his name to Dilawar Khan. As per sources, though he converted to Islam he doesn’t practice it.

Dharmendra was married even before entering the film industry. In order to marry his love interest, Hema Malini, Dharmendra converted to Islam and changed his name to Dilawar Khan. As per sources, though he converted to Islam he doesn’t practice it.

Yuvan Shankar Raja: He is a soundtrack composer and song-writer. He mainly scores music for Tamil films. He converted to Islam after his mother's death. For two and half years he read the Quran and connected to it.

Yuvan Shankar Raja: He is a soundtrack composer and song-writer. He mainly scores music for Tamil films. He converted to Islam after his mother's death. For two and half years he read the Quran and connected to it.

Mamta Kulkarni: She is a former Indian actress and model. Mamta’s husband Vicky Goswami was arrested in UAE in connection with a drug smuggling case. After which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, which was later reduced due to his conduct and conversion to Islam. Mamta too converted to Islam along with her husband.

Mamta Kulkarni: She is a former Indian actress and model. Mamta’s husband Vicky Goswami was arrested in UAE in connection with a drug smuggling case. After which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, which was later reduced due to his conduct and conversion to Islam. Mamta too converted to Islam along with her husband.

Sharmila Tagore: The actress known for her works in Hindi and Bengali cinema. She was one of the highest paid actresses of Indian cinema. Sharmila fell in love with the famous cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. She had to convert to Islam to marry Mansoor. She converted and took on the name Ayesha Sultana.

Sharmila Tagore: The actress known for her works in Hindi and Bengali cinema. She was one of the highest paid actresses of Indian cinema. Sharmila fell in love with the famous cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. She had to convert to Islam to marry Mansoor. She converted and took on the name Ayesha Sultana.

Monica: The famous south Indian actress revealed her conversion to Islam in a meeting. She changed her name to MG Raheema. She was influenced by Islamic principles and was supported by her father.

Monica: The famous south Indian actress revealed her conversion to Islam in a meeting. She changed her name to MG Raheema. She was influenced by Islamic principles and was supported by her father.

Amrita Singh: She was popular Indian actress in 80s and 90s. She followed Sikh religion since birth, converted to Islam and married actor Saif Ali Khan. However, they divorced after 13 years of marriage.

Amrita Singh: She was popular Indian actress in 80s and 90s. She followed Sikh religion since birth, converted to Islam and married actor Saif Ali Khan. However, they divorced after 13 years of marriage.