Wikipedia

Kabir Rafi

Kabir Rafi[1][2][3][4][5] is an Indian music composer, playback singer, independent pop artist, and background score artist. He has produced music for more than 200 Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, English and silent films. Rafi made his music debut with his first multilingual feature film, titled #PK, which was dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam and released in August 2022. Several of his productions have gained critical acclaim, such as Mana Mugguri Love Story[6][7][8] and Mrs Subbalaxmi.[9] He composed the music for his first Kannada commercial debut film, Sugar Factory, released in November 2023.[10][11]

Kabir Rafi
Background information
Born (1993-06-24) 24 June 1993 (age 32)
Visakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
OriginHyderabad, Telangana, India
GenresFilm score & music producer
OccupationsMusic composer & playback singer
InstrumentsVocalist, keyboards, guitars
Years active2010–present
LabelsAnanda Audio, T series-Lahari, Aditya Audio
Websitewww.kabirrafi.com

Rafi's projects have featured artists such as Armaan Malik, Vijay Prakash, Baba Sehgal, Chandan Shetty, Anurag Kulkarni, Geetha Madhuri, Sri Krishna, and Anudeep Dev.

Early life

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Kabir Rafi was born to an Indian army soldier Shaik Abdul Khader in Vishakapatnam, India. He lived in and then travelled to various cities in India including Gujarat (Bhuj), Bengaluru, Assam (Silchar) and Mumbai before settling in Hyderabad. His family has a military background, with his great-grandfather who was a former "freedom fighter." Rafi's grandfather and father also served in the Indian army where the latter acted as a subedar major. His father's appreciation of playback singer Mohammed Rafi, particularly during his time in military service, led him to name his son in honour of the artist.

Rafi received his education from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Central school. He then earned his bachelor's degree in hotel management from the Regency College of Culinary Arts in 2009 and became a Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate at Malla Reddy College of Engineering and Technology. He then worked with the Justdial Internet technology company for 2 years on a contract basis as a video vendor.

Rafi's interest in composing music began in his childhood. Rafi started performing at the age of 12 in various musical stage shows and learned Hindustani classical music as a vocalist and a tabla player, following the encouragement of his mother. When his father was transferred to Mumbai by the Indian military, Rafi started his musical career, mainly as a soundtrack recordist & singer for music directors including Dilip Sen. He later left Mumbai for two years, living in his uncle's home and struggling to find employment, after attempting to enter the entertainment industry by acting in small roles under Balaji Telefilms Ltd, singing several jingles for commercials and dubbing songs. In 2006, Rafi's father was transferred a second time from Mumbai to Hyderabad. He insisted that Rafi join him and focus on his studies and suggested he further his musical career by auditioning for a position in the Telugu film industry (informally known as "Tollywood") in Hyderabad.

Career

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In Hyderabad, Rafi was given several jobs in the production of film soundtracks for various film and music directors. He also worked as a vocalist. The composer and singer Chakri allegedly encouraged Rafi early in his career. In 2009, Rafi collaborated with composer Jeevan Thomas for four years in music production.

From 2011 to 2015, Rafi was placed under observation[vague] and worked as a member of the team led by music director Jeevan Thomas in the soundtrack production of the movies Kuberulu,[12] First love (2013) and Yavvanam Oka Fantasy (2015). He was also presented with the opportunity to record tracks in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi as a playback singer for a few movies.

Rafi gave stage performances as a singer for numerous events. In 2014, he completed his first movie, Manasu Palike Maya Prema, and released the audio track of the feature.[13][14] In 2016, his independent film Parinayam was released. The audio of his second feature film, Komali,[15][16][17][18] was released in 2017 in Kannada. As of 2025, Rafi has completed over 200 projects since 2015,[19] for short films, independent films, web series, feature films, and commercials. Several of his productions have gained critical acclaim, such as: Mana Mugguri Love Story,[6][7][8] Mrs Subbalaxmi,[9] Konchan Istam Chaala Kastam, I Hate You, Aa Gang Repu (Part 1 and 2), Maa Naana Kosam, Pilli Kalla Papa, Oye Nandu, and Atu itu nuvvey. Some of his most popular short films include: She, Musalman, Papa, Anandmaaye, Chotu, and Karmama.

Rafi's upcoming projects yet to be released between 2025 and 2026 include Akara and Love Again.

Awards and nominations

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Year Event Award Work(s) Result Ref.
2015 Indie Fest Short Film Award Best Background Music Aa Gang Repu Won [20]
2016 VR Films National Award Best Music Yedo Maya Chesav Won [21]
2016 Lotus Short Film Awards Best Song and Singer Maa Naana Kosam, Parinayam Nominated
2016 Lotus Short Film Awards Best Music Aa Gang Repu, KICK (Koncham Istam Chaala Kastam) Nominated
2017 SIIMA Short Film awards Telugu - Best Short Film Music Director KICK (Koncham Ishtam Chala Kashtam) Won [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]
2017 Lotus Short Film Awards Best Singer Voice of Eyes Won
2017 Short Film Diamond Award Contribution of Music in the Tollywood Short Film Industry[vague] Won
2018 Melbourne City Independent Film Awards (MCIFA) Best Sound Design Insight Won [30]
Studio One Film Awards Best Music Director Won
2018 Lotus Short Film Awards Best Music Director Aa Gang Repu 2 Won
Telangana State Language and Culture Department Short Film Festival[vague] style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated

Discography

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Feature films

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Year Film title Director Lead cast Language Notes Audio channel Worked as Genre
2014 Manasu Palike Maya Prema[31][13] Munu Swamy Murali krishna, Kaajal Sakhare Telugu Audio released Lahari Music Music director Love story, drama
2017 Komali[32] Vikas Madakari Murali krishna, Kaajal Sakhare Kannada Audio released Silly Monk Music director Love story, drama
2019 RAHASYAM[33][34][35] Sagar Sailesh Sagar Sailesh, Rithika Telugu Released 1 Feb 2019 Mango Music Music director Horror, drama
2020 PlayBack Hari Prasad Jakka Dinesh, Ananya Nagmalla, Telugu Released 5 March 2021 AHA Sound foley artist Suspense thriller
2022 #pk Hemanth p Vinny Viyaan, Aashu Reddy Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam. Film released 26 August 2022 Lahari Music Music director Love story, action
2023 Sugar Factory Deepak Aras Darling Krishna, sonal montero Kannada Audio released Ananda Audio Music director Rom-com drama
2024 Thata Manavudu Ram Mandapathi Rajendra Prasad Telugu Announced / filming ----- Music director Love & Drama
2025 Love Again (LA) Sashank Voleti ---- Telugu Announced ----- Music director Rom-com drama
2025 Akara Raju Sai Charan Telugu Confirmed ----- Music director Suspense thriller

OTT film/Web series

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Year Series title Language Director Lead cast Released channel Notes Genre
2016 Nuvvu Pakkanunte Baaguntaadhe[36] Telugu Eeswar Reddy Mohan Bhagath Shreyas Media 2 episodes released Rom-com
2017 Mana Mugguri love story[37] Telugu Shashank Yeleti Nandini Reddy Naveep, Tejeswini, Adith Yup TV All episodes released Rom-com
2017 The Unknown English Siva Sai Teja Siva Sai Teja Disney hotstar Released Suspense thriller
2019 Mrs. Subbalakshmi[38][39][40] Telugu N Vamsi Krishna Lakshmi Manchu, Avasarala Srinivas Yup TV, Zee5 All episodes released Action-comedy-drama
2019 Missamma Pelli Telugu gautami challagulla Ad My, Tarun V6 chill Trailer released Rom-com
2021 Ajatha Shatruvu Telugu Farooq Roy Anirudth, East West Entertainment / MX player All episodes released Action drama
2025 Aa Gang Repu 3 Telugu Yogee Qumaar Preeti Sunder ---- Trailer released Suspense thriller

Singles and album songs

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Year Album Song title Language Channel Singer(s) Lyricist Notes
2015 I Hate You Nee Kalale Kunuke Telugu Cinemama Anudeep Dev, Vidya Pavan Rachepalli
2015 Smart Phone Chinni Gundelo Telugu Kabir rafi Official Srikant Koushik Pegallapati
2015 Inkonchem Premista Kaalama Aagave Telugu Genuine pictures Kabir Rafi, Apurva Shoban NV
2016 Maa Naana Kosam Adugadugu Telugu IQlik channel Anudeep Dev, Apurva Garimella, Kabir Rafi Kittu Vissapragada Nominated for Lotus Short Film Awards[41] for Best Song, Singer & Lyric
2016 Nee Parichayam Nee Parichayam Telugu Smart Creations Kabir Rafi Sunder
2016 Edo Maya Chesav Edo Maya Chesav Telugu U&I Entertainments Kabir Rafi Poorna Chaari Won the Best Song & Singer award at VR Films national award[42]
2016 Parinayam Neeku Nenu Telugu Madhura Audio Suresh Kumar, Harini Rao, Panchali Tanisha, Kabir Rafi Shoban NV Nominated at Lotus Short film Awards[43] for Best Song, Singer & Lyric
2017 Dream of the Nation Desh Pukare re Hindi Kabir Rafi Official Kabir Rafi Kabir Rafi
2017 Madahosh Hui Hawa Madahosh Hui Hawa Hindi DJS Film Production House Panchali Mallik, Aradhya Sinde Shafi
2018 Karmama Sirula Telugu Klapboard Productions Ravi Prakash Lakshmi Priyanka
2018 Padipoya Padipoya Telugu Telugu One Kabir Rafi Arhat Bodhi
2018 Okkare Iddaru Aiyaaru Emo Emo Telugu Klapboard Production Kabir Rafi, Amrita Nayak Shoban NV
2018 Bonaalu Song Dhum Dhum Dhumaar Telugu Genuine Pictures Uma Neha Veeru Gaddam
2020 Sankuratri Sankuratri Pandaga Telugu Kabir Rafi Official Manasa Acharya, Kabir Rafi Lakshmi Priyanka
2022 Emo emo Manase Emo Emo Manase Telugu Marina Official Kabir Rafi Vamsi Krishna
2025 Software Ammai Software Ammai Telugu Kabir Rafi Official Kabir Rafi Nikesh Kumar
2026 Gobbiyallo Gobbiyallo Telugu educoz Production kiran kumar Kabir Rafi Ranjith Kumar Ricky
2026 mah-e-ramzan mah-e-ramzan Hindi educoz Production kiran kumar Kabir Rafi Kabir Rafi

As playback singer

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Year Album Song title Language Channel Music director Lyricist/co-singer Notes
2015 Inkonchem Premista Kaalama Aagave Telugu Genuine Pictures Kabir Rafi Shoban NV/Apurva
2016 Maa Naana Kosam Adugadugu Telugu IQlik Channel Kabir Rafi Kittu Vissapragada, Anudeep Dev, Apurva Garimella Nominated at Lotus Short Film Awards for Best Song, Singer & Lyric
2016 Nee Parichayam Nee Parichayam Telugu Smart Creations Kabir Rafi Sunder
2016 Edo Maya Chesav Edo Maya Chesav Telugu U&I Entertainments Kabir Rafi Poorna Chaari/Tanisha Won the Best Song & Singer award at VR Films national award[42]
2016 Parinayam Yemautunndo Telugu Madhura Audio Kabir Rafi Shoban NV/Panchali Tanisha
2017 Dream of the nation Desh Pukare Re Hindi Kabir Rafi Official Jeevan Thomas Kabir Rafi
2018 Okkare Iddaru Aiyaaru Emo Emo Telugu Amrita Nayak Kabir Rafi Shoban NV/Amrita Nayak
2020 #PK Khoya Khoya Hindi Lehari Tseries Kabir Rafi Nitin/Amrita Nayak
2023 Sugar factory Kalkonda ee Premige Kannada Ananda Audio Kabir Rafi Arasu Anthre
2025 Ninnu Choodaga Ninnu Choodaga Telugu Ullas --

As sound designer

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Year Film title Director Language Notes
2015 Aa Gang Repu Yogee Qumaar Telugu
2015 Shasha Divya English
2016 Shiva 143 Sagar Sailesh Telugu
2016 SHE Vijay Bharath Telugu
2017 Beep Raj virat Telugu
2017 The Unknown Siva Teja English
2017 Amma Ammay Prema Farooq Roy Telugu
2017 Second Chance Krishna Kumar Telugu
2017 Addicted Akhil Raj Telugu
2017 Chotu Raj Virat Telugu
2018 Mangamma Gari Manavadu Anu Prasad Telugu
2018 Hamsaaro Siva Teja Telugu
2018 Sleepwalker Gopi Narra Telugu
2018 Okkare Iddaru Aiyaaru Shoban NV Telugu
2020 From The Night U Left Gautham Krishna Telugu
2020 Vizag Teeram Lo Raj Kumar Telugu

References

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  1. ↑ "Kabir Rafi: Kannadigas have good taste in music". Cinema Express. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "టాలీవుడ్లో యువ సంగీత దర్శకుల హవా". Sakshi (in Telugu). 31 July 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Sakshi Telugu Daily Guntur Amaravathi District epaper dated Sun, 28 May 17". Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Andhra Jyothy Telugu Daily Sunday epaper dated Sun, 11 December 16". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "Sakshi Telugu Daily Hyderabad District epaper dated Sat, 9 Jul 16". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  6. 1 2 Mana Mugguri Love Story (TV Series 2017– ), retrieved 2 May 2018
  7. 1 2 admin (11 November 2017). "Mana Mugguri Love Story: A feel-good web series". Telugucinema.com. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Review: Mana Mugguri Love Story". Gulte.com. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  9. 1 2 Mrs.Subbalakshmi, retrieved 4 March 2020
  10. ↑ "Sugar Factory to have Sonal Monteiro on board". The New Indian Express. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Darling Krishna starrer 'Sugar Factory' first look unveiled on Valentine's Day - Times of India". The Times of India. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "Kuberulu movie review – Telugu cinema Review – Sivaji & Farzana". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Kabir Rafi". www.saavn.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "MaNaSu PaLiKe MaYa PrEmA Film Latest News". www.supergoodmovies.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "Komali(Film Cd) | Chitralahari". chitralahari.in. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  16. ↑ "'Komali' Movie Audio Launch". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  17. ↑ "Kannada Movie/Cinema News - KOMALI IN TWIN LANGUAGES - Chitratara.com". www.chitratara.com. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  18. ↑ "cinecircle | Kannada Movies News | Kannada Movies Gallery | TV News | Kannada Movie Reviews – cinecircle.in". www.cinecircle.in. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  19. ↑ Kabir Rafi Music Director-Regency Food Festival – Hybiz.tv Online Business News Channel, retrieved 15 November 2016
  20. ↑ iQlikchannel (23 August 2015), Aa Gang Repu || New Telugu Short Film 2015 || with Eng Subtitles, retrieved 29 July 2016
  21. ↑ U&I Entertainments – Telugu Latest Short Films (24 April 2016), "Edo Maya Chesav"|| Love || New Telugu Love Short film 2016|| By Ram Reddy Pannala| U&I, retrieved 29 July 2016
  22. ↑ "Prajasakti MAIN NEWS epaper dated Tue, 16 May 17". Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  23. ↑ "Short filmmakers win accolades". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  24. ↑ "Clipping of Hyderabad Media House Limited – AMARAVATI CITY TAB". Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  25. ↑ "times of india" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2017.
  26. ↑ "SIIMA : SHORT FILMS ARE NO MORE SHORT". Navika Factory. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  27. ↑ "SIIMA AWARDS 2017 | Short Films Nomination 2017". siima.in. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  28. ↑ "SIIMA AWARD FOR BEST MUSIC DIRECTION".
  29. ↑ Ragalahari. "Exclusive Photos – SIIMA Short Film Awards 2017, Hyderabad". Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "Kabir Rafi". IMDb. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  31. ↑ Manasu Palike Maya Prema
  32. ↑ Komali
  33. ↑ "VV Vinayak releases first look of Rahasyam". www.ragalahari.com. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  34. ↑ "స్టార్ డైరెక్టర్ చేతుల మీదగా 'రహస్యం' ఫస్ట్ లుక్ విడుదల !". Telugu Cinema News in Telugu. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  35. ↑ "All you want to know about #KabirRafi". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  36. ↑ Shreyas Media (17 August 2016), Latest Telugu Webseries | Nuvvu Pakkanunte Baaguntaadhe | Episode 1 | Shreyas Media, retrieved 15 November 2016
  37. ↑ "Navdeep Web Series | Actor Navdeep | Mana Mugguri Luv Story |Telugu Filmnagar". www.thetelugufilmnagar.com. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  38. ↑ Mrs Subbalaxmi, retrieved 10 March 2019
  39. ↑ Ragalahari. "Mrs Subbalakshmi – Web-Series From ZEE5 Originals 1st Episode Screening". www.ragalahari.com. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  40. ↑ Pendyala, AuthorSweta. "When the world warms up to web series". Telangana Today. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  41. ↑ Lotus Short Film Awards
  42. 1 2 VR Films national award
  43. ↑ Lotus Short film Awards
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