A R Rahman: ‘I really feel blessed to be Indian, which permits me to create an area which all the time permits freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices.’

{Photograph}: Variety courtesy AR Rahman/Instagram

A R Rahman’s feedback in regards to the ‘communal’ reason for getting lesser work has not gone down effectively with a bit of individuals.

The Oscar-winning composer advised the BBC Asian Community in a current interview that the quantity of his work within the Hindi movie trade had declined over the previous eight years and hinted that it could possibly be linked to a ‘communal factor’. He additionally mentioned there have been modifications in trade energy constructions the place artistic management has shifted away from artistic individuals.

Kangana Ranaut known as him ‘prejudiced’, Javed Akhtar disagreed with him, and Varun Grover described him as an amazing composer attacked for stating an opinion.

On Sunday, Rahman tried to step away from the raging debate over his remarks with a clarificatory assertion, saying his feedback had been misunderstood and that he by no means supposed to ‘trigger ache’.

‘India is my inspiration, my instructor and my house. I perceive that intentions can generally be misunderstood. However my goal has all the time been to uplift, honour and serve by means of music. I’ve by no means wished to trigger ache, and I hope my sincerity is felt,’ he mentioned within the video.

‘I really feel blessed to be Indian, which permits me to create an area which all the time permits freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices.

‘From nurturing Jhalaa, introduced on the WAVES summit in entrance of the honourable Prime Minister and Rooh-e-Noor, to collaborating with the younger Naga musicians, to making a string orchestra, to mentoring the Sunshine orchestra, additionally constructing Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural digital band and the honour of scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer. Every journey has strengthened my goal,’ the maestro added.

Kangana Ranaut: ‘I’ve not come throughout a person extra prejudiced and hateful than you’

Earlier, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticised the composer as a ‘prejudiced and hateful’ particular person and claimed that she tried to method Rahman for her movie Emergency, however he refused to compose music for it.

In a submit on Instagram Tales, Ranaut mentioned, ‘I face a lot prejudice and partiality within the movie trade as a result of I assist a saffron occasion, but I have to say I’ve not come throughout a person extra prejudiced and hateful than you.

‘I desperately wished to relate my directorial Emergency to you. Neglect narration, you even refused to fulfill me. I used to be advised you do not wish to be a part of a propaganda movie.

‘Sarcastically, Emergency was known as a masterpiece by all critics. Even Opposition occasion leaders despatched me fan letters appreciating the movie for its balanced and compassionate method, however you’re blinded by your hate. I really feel sorry for you,’ Ranaut wrote.

‘Individuals are scared to achieve Rahman as a result of he’s so huge’

Javed Akhtar, who has collaborated with Rahman on a number of movies, mentioned he didn’t agree with the suggestion of communal bias.

‘Rahman is a superb composer, and lots of people respect him. However they’re scared to achieve him as a result of he’s so huge. They’re scared to speak to him and deal with him. It’s out of awe and worry of him that folks hold away… that humare bas ka nahi hai, yeh toh bohot bada aadmi hai, Javed Akhtar advised the India Right now televison channel.

Paresh Rawal helps Rahman: ‘You’re our pleasure’

In the meantime, actor Paresh Rawal and lyricist Varun Grover have come out in assist of the music composer.

Rawal responded to Rahman’s video on X and wrote, ‘We love you sir. You’re our pleasure.’

Grover mentioned Rahman was pressured to situation a clarification to ‘to calm the poisonous mob down.’

‘The best residing composer of the final 3 a long time received attacked and abused (even by individuals throughout the trade) for stating an opinion within the politest, mildest method, that too primarily based on his lived-experience. And the very subsequent day pressured to situation an apology/clarification to calm the poisonous mob down. If any additional proof was wanted to substantiate his hints on the rising divisiveness,’ Grover posted on X.

Columnist Shobhaa De addressed the talk round Rahman’s remarks on the Jaipur Literature Pageant 2026 on Saturday.

‘This can be a very harmful remark. I do not know why he is made it; you need to ask him. However I have been watching Bollywood for 50 years. And if I’ve seen anywhere which is freed from any form of communal stress, it’s Bollywood.

‘In case you have expertise, you’re going to get an opportunity. If you do not have expertise, there is not any query of faith being an element, that they don’t seem to be supplying you with an opportunity. So, what he is saying, he is such a profitable man, he is such a mature man,’ De mentioned.

‘He mustn’t have mentioned it, possibly he has his causes, you’ll have to ask him.’

Key Factors

• In a current interview, A R Rahman mentioned that the quantity of his work within the Hindi movie trade had declined over the previous eight years and hinted that it could possibly be linked to a ‘communal factor’.
• Kangana Ranaut criticised the composer as a ‘prejudiced and hateful’ particular person.
• Rahman discovered assist in Paresh Rawal and Varun Grover.

Images curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff