Music maestro A R Rahman recently found himself at the centre of a controversy after suggesting in an interview that changes in power structures within the Hindi film industry had led to a decline in the work coming his way. His remarks drew sharp criticism from author and columnist Shobhaa De, who described the comments as “very dangerous” and insisted that Bollywood has remained free from communal divides for decades.
Shobhaa De responds to Rahman’s remarks
Speaking to ANI, De questioned Rahman’s reasoning and expressed surprise at his statement. She said she had observed the film industry closely for nearly 50 years and, in her experience, Bollywood stood out as a space largely untouched by communal tension. According to her, the industry has historically been inclusive, making Rahman’s claim both puzzling and troubling.
Addressing Rahman’s assertion that he has received less work in recent years, De argued that talent ultimately determines opportunity. She said that if an artist has ability, work naturally follows, and lack of opportunities cannot be attributed to religion. Referring to Rahman’s stature and maturity, she added that such a successful figure should have exercised greater caution, though she acknowledged that he might have personal reasons for his view.
What AR Rahman said
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman was asked whether he had ever faced prejudice in Bollywood as a Tamil composer. He replied that he never personally felt discrimination in the past, but suggested that over the last eight years things may have changed due to a shift in power. He noted that people lacking creativity now held influence and hinted that communal factors might also play a role, though not openly or directly.
Rahman explained that such issues were never stated to him outright, but reached him indirectly through what he described as “Chinese whispers.” He said he was informed at times that projects initially meant for him were reassigned elsewhere. However, he added that he did not actively seek work and preferred to let opportunities come to him naturally, spending more time with his family and trusting that he would receive what he truly deserved.
Following the release of the interview, Rahman’s comments sparked widespread debate online, with many users calling him out and questioning the implications of his statements.
