Khatija Rahman on dancing to her own beat

From making an identity outside of her father AR Rahman’s shadow to carrying on with an imposter syndrome, Khatija Rahman spoke her mind to Brut.

Transcript

00:00I'm trying to find my own identity voice.

00:07I just don't want to be somebody's daughter or somebody's wife or whatever.

00:12I just want to be something more than that.

00:19I know half the comments are going to be trolling me, so I'm pretty prepared for it.

00:30Hi everyone, this is Katheria Rehman here for Brood.

01:01I think it was a prayer from my heart.

01:05That is what Farishta was about.

01:07It is an appeal for a healed world.

01:22Trying to subtly change the traditional roles or what women are supposed to be.

01:30The overwhelming feeling probably was the attention.

01:45I was not used to that because we are all, almost even my dad likes to lead a very private life.

01:50So I think that way we, like none of our pictures, he was very protective.

01:55Our pictures would not come out or you know.

01:59So suddenly people acknowledging or appreciating your work.

02:04At that point I was too young to handle it, I guess.

02:07When you earn something and you give, even if it is 10 rupees or whatever, 100 rupees.

02:31I think there's nothing more satisfying than that.

02:34And I think this is something, this is a skill which has been passed down through generations.

02:39For us, our family, grandfather was a musician and all of that.

02:44So obviously couldn't think of anything new or something to be independent.

02:50Of course, to brush up my skills and to hone myself.

02:54So I said, okay, how do you give back to society?

02:59There's nothing else I could think of.

03:02And then I think my parents were encouraging.

03:09It is difficult. I think it will never go.

03:11To be honest, that's the truth. It's never going to go.

03:13And I use my fears or these feelings to make, to do better in my work.

03:20Why is it coming? Okay, maybe extra preparation, putting in more work.

03:24My dad also says the same. He's like, he also has been through that.

03:28And then, of course, now I'm just like, how does he do it effortlessly?

03:32But then it took years and years of years and years of showing up.

03:42I just wish the world is a more peaceful place to live in.

03:48More peaceful, more tolerant, more room to accept people who are not the same as you.

03:54I think that's something I would wish it changes for the better.