 Rahman's first Tamil film was "Nilave Malare", which was released in 1986; the director of the film was S. A. Chandrasekhar.He subsequently appeared in "Kanne Kaniyamuthe", "Vasantha Raagam" and "Anbulla Appa" (with Sivaji Ganeshan).In 1989, after appearing in "Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal", "Puriyaadha Pudhir" and "Nee Pathi Naan Pathi", he shifted completely to Tamil and Telugu.