Music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja was all over the headlines earlier this year for taking up Islam religion and many opined that he is following the footsteps of AR Rahman. Yuvan did not comment on anything regarding this then and recently in an exclusive interview with an English daily, Yuvan has explained reasons behind this decision.

Yuvan said his mother's death in 2011 was the most worst phase of his life and was unable to get over the situation. “When I was in severe depression, one of my friend met me who just came from Mecca. He gave a musalla [the prayer mat] and asked me to sit on it whenever I feel heavy in heart. One day while discussing about my mother with one of my cousin, I started feeling heavy and immediately got into my room. Coincidentally I saw the mat and sat on it. I started reading Quran from 2012 and got connected really fast with the religion. I started practising Islam, learnt how to pray and finally made up my mind to convert,” said Yuvan.

“Though my father, Ilaiyaraaja was against this decision, my brother and sister supported me,” added Yuvan.

(AW: Vamshi)