Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, born on December 9, 1974, in Faisalabad, Pakistan, is a musical powerhouse who grew up surrounded by the rich traditions of qawwali. With his deep connection to Sufi music, passed down from his uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat’s voice has taken qawwali to new heights.
Whether he’s performing a soulful Sufi song or a Bollywood hit, Rahat blends his passion with his heritage, making him a global sensation while keeping qawwali’s essence alive in today’s music scene.
Wiki
| Full Name | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan |
|---|---|
| Profession | Singer |
| Famous As | Singer |
| Nick Name | Rahat and RFAK |
| Name Earned | Shahenshah-e-Qawwali (Kings of Kings of Qawwali) |
| Date of Birth | 9 December 1973 |
| Age | 51 Years Old |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Birthplace | Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Hometown | Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Religion | Islam |
| Hobbies | Travelling |
| Food Habits | Non-vegetarian |
| Educational Qualification | Not Known |
| School Name | Not Known |
| College/University | Not Known |
| Debut | Singing Debut: Kisi Roz Milo Hamein Shaam Dhaley (Pakistani film – Mard Jeenay Nahi Detay (1997) |
Early Life
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s early life was all about music. Growing up in Faisalabad, Pakistan, he was surrounded by qawwali legends, especially his uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Rahat started learning the ropes at just seven, and soon enough, he was singing alongside his family.
By his teens, he was already performing live, blending his passion for traditional qawwali with his fresh take. Those early years of intense training set the stage for the global icon he would become.
Career
After his early success, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s career soared as he became a key figure in Bollywood. His ability to infuse deep emotion into romantic and devotional songs set him apart. Hits like “Teri Meri,” “Jag Soona Soona Lage,” and “Tum Jo Aaye” made him a favorite in Indian cinema.
Beyond Bollywood, Rahat crossed borders, collaborating with international artists like Eddie Vedder on the Dead Man Walking soundtrack and participating in Coke Studio, where he blended traditional qawwali with modern music styles.
He also achieved a major milestone in 2014, performing at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize Concert, representing Sufi music on a global stage. His versatility allowed him to experiment with various genres while staying true to his roots.
His albums, live performances, and collaborations with Western artists introduced qawwali to new audiences worldwide, solidifying his reputation as one of the most influential Sufi singers of his time.
Despite his fame, Rahat remains deeply connected to his musical heritage. His work continues to blend the classical Qawwali tradition with contemporary sounds, making Sufi music accessible to a wider audience. Whether in Bollywood or on the global stage, Rahat’s voice resonates with a deep spiritual energy that transcends cultural boundaries, making him one of the most sought-after singers of his generation.
Family
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan comes from a super musical family. His dad, Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, was a well-known musician, often playing the harmonium in the legendary Qawwali group led by Rahat’s famous uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Nusrat, of course, was a massive influence on Rahat’s life and career, teaching him everything about music.
While there’s not much info publicly about his mom or siblings, it’s clear that music runs deep in the family, and they’ve all played a part in shaping Rahat’s incredible journey.
| Father Name | Father– Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan (Musician) |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Not Known |
| Brother Name | Not Known |
| Sister Name | Not Known |
| Uncle | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Singer) |
Physical Appearance
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has a solid and recognizable appearance. He stands at about 5’3½” (162 cm) and weighs around 90 kg (198 lbs), giving him a strong, broad frame. His chest measures 44 inches, with a 38-inch waist and 13-inch biceps.
He’s got a friendly, down-to-earth vibe, with his brown eyes and jet-black hair being notable features. While he’s mostly known for his incredible voice, Rahat’s distinct physical presence adds to his overall stage charisma when performing.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 162 cm in meters – 1.62 m in feet inches – 5’ 3½” |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 90 kg in pounds – 198 lbs |
| Body Measurements | – Chest: 44 Inches – Waist: 38 Inches – Biceps: 13 Inches |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Relationship Status
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is married to Nida Khan, and the two seem to share a close bond. They have a son, Shazmaan Khan, who Rahat often talks about with pride.
Even though Rahat’s a global music sensation, family is super important to him. When he’s not on stage or traveling for concerts, he loves spending quality time with his wife and son. His family plays a big role in keeping him grounded, despite his busy and high-profile life in the spotlight.
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Nida Khan |
| Children | Son– Shazmaan Khan |
Net Worth & Salary
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is doing quite well financially! His net worth is estimated at around $7.5 million, approximately INR 58 crore in Indian Rupees. Regarding his salary, he reportedly charges about INR 20 lakhs per song.
Given his success in both Bollywood and live performances, it’s no surprise that singing is his primary source of income. His soulful voice has earned him both fame and fortune across borders [1].
| Net Worth in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹72 crore |
|---|---|
| Salary in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹10-12 lakhs/song |
| Income Source | Singing |
Social Media Handles
| @officialrfakworld | |
| @urfakonline | |
| @rfakworld |
Awards
- Lux Style Awards: Multiple wins in categories like Best Playback Singer.
- Filmfare Awards: Several nominations and wins for songs like “Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji” and “Teri Ore.”
- UK Asian Music Awards: Acknowledged for his contribution to music.
- ARY Film Awards: Recognized for his playback singing in Pakistani cinema.
- Honorary Doctorate from Oxford University: For his outstanding contribution to music.
Favorite Things
| Musicians | Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Amir Hussain Khan, Alla Rakha, Shaukat Ali Khan, Parveen Sultana, Farida Khanum, Ghulam Ali |
|---|---|
| Actor | Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar |
| Actress | Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone |
Controversies
1. Sahir Ali Bagga Dispute: Recently, music producer Sahir Ali Bagga revealed that Rahat backed out of performing a patriotic song for the ISPR (Mujhe Dushman Se Badla Lene Jana Hai). Bagga expressed disappointment, especially because the song was emotionally significant [2].
2. Assault Video Incident: One of the more publicized issues involved a viral video showing Rahat hitting his protégé, Naveed Hasnain, with a shoe. The video led to a backlash online, prompting Rahat to publicly apologize. He explained that the incident stemmed from a personal matter and emphasized that he had already reconciled with Naveed, who he considers a son [3].
3. Copyright Claims: In 2018, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s daughter announced plans to take legal action against singers performing her father’s songs without permission, claiming copyright infringement. In response, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Nusrat’s nephew and protégé, asserted that he was Nusrat’s adopted musical heir. He stated that he didn’t need anyone’s permission to sing his uncle’s songs, as Nusrat was blessed to carry forward his musical legacy [4].
Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Songs Lyrics
- Dil Tarpe
- Sanson Ki Mala
- Gham-E-Ashiqui
- Dam Mastam
- Heeray
- Tanha Hua
- Tere Bin
- Adhura Lafz
- Tu Meri Main Tera
- Nikamma
- Tab Bhi Tu
- Nit Khair Manga
- Sanu Ek Pal Chain
- Ishtehaar
- Ishq
- Na Javee (Title)
- Banjarey (Title)
- Sahiba Russ Gayiya
- Rangrez
- Lag Ja Gale
- Pinjra (Title)
- Sayonee
- Judaiya (Title)
- Mere Rashke Qamar
- Dil Diyan Lagiyan (Title)
FAQs
Where does Rahat Fateh Ali Khan come from?
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan comes from Faisalabad, Pakistan.
How are Nusrat and Rahat related?
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was Rahat’s uncle and mentor.
Is Chand Ali Khan related to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan?
No, Chand Ali Khan is not directly related to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
How is Masroor Fateh Ali Khan related to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan?
Masroor Fateh Ali Khan is Rahat’s younger brother.
Why did Rahat Fateh Ali Khan leave India?
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan left India due to visa and legal issues in 2011.