Sunday, 18 October 2026
Anirudh Ravichander - Biography, Songs, Movies and Career Highlights

Anirudh Ravichander

Music Composer • Singer

Anirudh Ravichander is an Indian music composer, singer and music producer, credited on screen simply as Anirudh. He shot to fame at 21 with Why This Kolaveri Di from the Tamil film 3 (2012), and has since become one of the most in-demand composers in Indian cinema, with hit soundtracks in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, including Vikram, Jailer, Leo and Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan.

2026 has been his busiest year yet, with five releases: Love Insurance Kompany, Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, DC, Nani’s The Paradise and Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2, which opened on 15 October. His upcoming films include Shah Rukh Khan’s King, Arasan, Dharman and the Kamal Haasan–Rajinikanth project KHxRK.

Profession
Music Composer, Singer
Known for
Why This Kolaveri Di, Kaththi, Vikram, Jailer, Jawan, Leo
Date of birth
1990-10-16
Birthplace
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality
Indian

Anirudh Ravichander Quick Facts

Full NameAnirudh Ravichander
Popular NameRockstar Anirudh
ProfessionMusic composer, Singer, Music producer
Date of Birth16 October 1990
Age36 years (as of October 2026)
BirthplaceChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
Years Active2011–present
Debut3 (2012)
BreakthroughWhy This Kolaveri Di (2011)
Known ForWhy This Kolaveri Di, Kaththi, Vikram, Jailer, Jawan, Leo
FamilyFather Ravi Raghavendra (actor), mother Lakshmi Ravichander (classical dancer); actor Rajinikanth is his uncle by marriage
EducationLoyola College, Chennai; piano studies through Trinity College of Music, London

Anirudh Ravichander Career in Numbers

Here is a quick snapshot of Anirudh’s career.

MilestoneDetails
Films52 released feature films as composer, including guest songs and score-only credits
Career Span2011–present
LanguagesTamil, Telugu, Hindi
Breakthrough SongWhy This Kolaveri Di (2011)
Biggest HitJawan (2023), his first full Hindi album
Major AwardsTwo Filmfare Awards South, several SIIMA Awards, Kalaimamani
Latest ReleaseJailer 2 (15 October 2026)
UpcomingKing, Arasan, Dharman, KHxRK, AA23

Early Life and Family

Anirudh Ravichander was born on 16 October 1990 in Chennai to actor Ravi Raghavendra and classical dancer Lakshmi Ravichander. He has an elder sister, Vaishnavi. His father’s sister is Latha Rajinikanth, which makes Rajinikanth his uncle by marriage and filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth his cousin. His great-grandfather was the pioneering filmmaker K. Subramanyam.

Music came early. While still in school, he and his fusion band won a reality show judged by A. R. Rahman. He studied piano through Trinity College of Music, London, earned a diploma in sound engineering in Chennai and graduated from Loyola College, Chennai, in 2011.

Anirudh Ravichander Career Journey

Why This Kolaveri Di and an Early Rise (2011–2016)

Anirudh got his first film when his cousin Aishwarya Rajinikanth signed him for her directorial debut 3, starring Dhanush. Why This Kolaveri Di, sung and written by Dhanush in quirky Tanglish, was released in November 2011 after an accidental leak and became a national sensation. It was the most searched YouTube video in India at the time and the first Tamil film song to premiere on MTV India. He followed it with Ethir Neechal and Vanakkam Chennai (2013), won the Filmfare Award for Velaiilla Pattadhari, and scored his first big-star album with Vijay’s Kaththi (2014). Maari, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Vedalam and Remo kept him at the top of the charts.

Telugu Debut and Star Albums (2017–2021)

After Vivegam and Velaikkaran (2017), he made his Telugu debut with Pawan Kalyan’s Agnyaathavaasi (2018), and later scored Nani’s Jersey and Gang Leader (2019). In Tamil, Kolamaavu Kokila (2018) won him a SIIMA award, while Petta (2019) and Darbar (2020) marked his first full albums for Rajinikanth. Vijay’s Master and Sivakarthikeyan’s Doctor (2021) were both chartbuster albums.

Vikram, Jailer and Jawan (2022–2024)

Kamal Haasan’s Vikram (2022) was a turning point, with his score drawing wide praise; it won him SIIMA awards for music and playback singing. Beast, Don and Thiruchitrambalam followed the same year. In 2023 he delivered three blockbusters back to back: Rajinikanth’s Jailer, Vijay’s Leo and Atlee’s Jawan, his first full Hindi film, whose song Chaleya became a nationwide hit. He also composed Indian 2, Jr NTR’s Devara: Part 1 and Vettaiyan in 2024.

Concerts, a Record Label and a Packed 2026 (2025–Present)

His Hukum World Tour, which began in Dubai in February 2024, played to large crowds abroad and ended with a grand finale in Chennai on 23 August 2025. On screen, 2025 brought Vidaamuyarchi, the Telugu film Kingdom, Coolie and Madharaasi. In February 2026 he launched his own label, Albuquerque Records, to back independent artists and house his own work. His 2026 releases are Love Insurance Kompany (10 April), Jana Nayagan (23 July), DC (7 August), The Paradise (24 September) and Jailer 2 (15 October), which grossed about ₹125 crore worldwide on its first day, according to trade figures.

Anirudh Ravichander Movies: Complete Filmography as Composer

Below is the complete list of feature films Anirudh has composed for, covering songs and/or background score.

YearFilmLanguage
20123 (Debut)Tamil
2013Ethir NeechalTamil
2013David (Guest composer, one song)Hindi, Tamil
2013Vanakkam ChennaiTamil
2013Irandaam Ulagam (Background score only)Tamil
2014Velaiilla PattadhariTamil
2014Maan KarateTamil
2014KaththiTamil
2015Kaaki SattaiTamil
2015MaariTamil
2015Naanum Rowdy DhaanTamil
2015VedalamTamil
2015Thanga MaganTamil
2016RemoTamil
2017RumTamil
2017VivegamTamil
2017VelaikkaranTamil
2018Agnyaathavaasi (Telugu debut)Telugu
2018Thaanaa Serndha KoottamTamil
2018Kolamaavu KokilaTamil
2018U Turn (Guest composer, one song)Tamil, Telugu
2019PettaTamil
2019JerseyTelugu
2019Thumbaa (Guest composer, one song)Tamil
2019Gang LeaderTelugu
2020DarbarTamil
2020Dharala Prabhu (Guest composer, one song)Tamil
2020Paava Kadhaigal (Anthology, one segment)Tamil
2021MasterTamil
2021DoctorTamil
2022Naai Sekar (Guest composer, one song)Tamil
2022BeastTamil
2022Jersey (Background score only)Hindi
2022Kaathuvaakula Rendu KaadhalTamil
2022DonTamil
2022VikramTamil
2022ThiruchitrambalamTamil
2023JailerTamil
2023Jawan (Hindi debut as full composer)Hindi
2023LeoTamil
2024Indian 2Tamil
2024Devara: Part 1Telugu
2024VettaiyanTamil
2025VidaamuyarchiTamil
2025KingdomTelugu
2025CoolieTamil
2025MadharaasiTamil
2026Love Insurance KompanyTamil
2026Jana NayaganTamil
2026DCTamil
2026The ParadiseTelugu
2026Jailer 2Tamil
UpcomingKing (Background score; songs shared with Sachin–Jigar)Hindi
UpcomingArasanTamil
UpcomingDharmanTamil
UpcomingKHxRK (working title)Tamil
UpcomingAA23 (working title)Telugu
UpcomingUntitled Jr NTR–Trivikram filmTelugu
UpcomingMagicTelugu

Outside films, Anirudh has released several independent singles and promotional tracks. Notable ones include the Sachin Anthem (2012) with Dhanush, Avalukena (2016), a Diwali remix of Major Lazer’s Cold Water (2016), the Hindi pop single Bewajah (2017), Onnume Aagala (2017), Julie (2018) and Aravindh (2026), a tribute to a late friend released on his own label.

Anirudh Ravichander Awards and Achievements

YearAwardNote
2015Filmfare Awards South – Best Music Director (Tamil)Won for Velaiilla Pattadhari
2015SIIMA – Best Music Director (Tamil)Won for Kaththi
2018Filmfare Awards South – Best Male Playback Singer (Tamil)Won for Yaanji (Vikram Vedha)
2019SIIMA – Best Music Director (Tamil)Won for Kolamaavu Kokila
2023SIIMA – Best Music Director (Tamil)Won for Vikram
2023SIIMA – Best Male Playback Singer (Tamil)Won for Pathala Pathala (Vikram), shared with Kamal Haasan
2024Zee Cine Awards – Best Music DirectorWon for Jawan
2024Zee Cine Awards – Best Background MusicWon for Jawan
2024SIIMA – Best Music Director (Tamil)Won for Jailer and Leo
2025SIIMA – Best Music Director (Tamil and Telugu)Nominated for Vettaiyan and Devara: Part 1
2025KalaimamaniTamil Nadu government honour

Anirudh Ravichander Personal Life

Anirudh comes from a family rooted in film and the arts, and he remains close to his parents and his extended family in Chennai. He usually keeps his private life out of the spotlight. In October 2026, the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office said Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Maran had invited Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to the reception of their daughter Kavya Maran’s wedding to Anirudh, to be held in Chennai on 21 November 2026. Kavya Maran is the CEO of the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. Other details of the wedding have not been officially announced.

Anirudh Ravichander Net Worth

Anirudh earns from film composing fees, live concerts, playback singing, independent music and brand work, and is regularly listed among India’s highest-paid composers. Media reports in 2026 place his net worth at around ₹50 crore, though figures vary and none have been confirmed by him.

Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹50 crore.

Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.

Lesser-Known Facts About Anirudh Ravichander

  • He reportedly composed the tune of Why This Kolaveri Di in about 10 minutes.
  • As a schoolboy, his fusion band won a reality show judged by A. R. Rahman.
  • His label, Albuquerque Records, takes its name from his studio, named after the city in New Mexico.
  • He voiced a robot named Bro 9000 in Love Insurance Kompany (2026).
  • His great-grandfather, K. Subramanyam, was a pioneering Tamil filmmaker of the 1930s.

Legacy and Impact

In about 15 years, Anirudh has gone from a viral debutant to the composer that top stars and directors across the South and Bollywood want for their biggest films. His punchy, youthful sound and high-energy background scores have shaped the feel of modern Tamil commercial cinema, and his sold-out concerts have helped turn film music into a live-event draw. With his own label, he is now also backing the next wave of independent musicians.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anirudh Ravichander

How old is Anirudh Ravichander?

Anirudh Ravichander was born on 16 October 1990, making him 36 years old as of October 2026.

What was Anirudh Ravichander’s debut film?

His debut as a composer was the Tamil film 3 (2012), directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth and starring Dhanush.

What are Anirudh Ravichander’s biggest hit songs?

His best-known songs include Why This Kolaveri Di (3), Pathala Pathala (Vikram), Yaanji (Vikram Vedha), Chaleya (Jawan) and Marana Mass (Petta).

What is Anirudh Ravichander’s latest and upcoming movie?

His latest release is Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 (15 October 2026). His upcoming films include Shah Rukh Khan’s King, Arasan, Dharman, KHxRK, Allu Arjun’s AA23 and an untitled Jr NTR film directed by Trivikram Srinivas.

What is Anirudh Ravichander’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at approximately ₹50 crore, based on publicly reported media estimates.

Final Summary

From the viral success of Why This Kolaveri Di to blockbuster albums like Vikram, Jailer and Jawan, Anirudh Ravichander has become one of the defining voices of Indian film music. With five releases in 2026, a new record label and a slate of major films ahead, he remains at the top of his game.

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