AR Rahman sparks debate with 'communal' discrimination claim in Bollywood
AR Rahman sparks debate with 'communal' discrimination claim in Bollywood
Renowned composer AR Rahman hints at communal bias and a shifting power dynamic in Bollywood, triggering industry reactions.
Renowned composer AR Rahman sparked a nationwide conversation with remarks about possible communal discrimination in Bollywood during a BBC Asian Network interview. He was asked about the experience of Tamils in Bollywood in the 1990s and beyond, and he answered with a mix of humor and seriousness, suggesting the matter might be more complex than a simple bias.
"Maybe I didn't get to know all this stuff. Maybe God concealed all this stuff," he said, before adding, "Past eight years, maybe, because the power shift has happened... people who are not creative have the power now to decide things. And this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. But I would hear like Chinese whispers that this happened."
He recalled the project "Chhaava" and noted the director's insistence on his involvement: "We need only you for this." The film became one of the biggest hits of 2025, underscoring Rahman's continuing pull in the industry.
Rahman has been recognized with multiple National Awards for music: for "Kaatru Veliyidai" (Tamil, 2017) and "Mom" (Hindi, 2017), and more recently for "Ponniyin Selvan 1" (Tamil, 2022).
In response, veteran writer Javed Akhtar downplayed the controversy in a discussion with IANS, while others offered mixed views. Some voices in political circles challenged the claim, and some fans urged a constructive dialogue about diversity and opportunity in Indian cinema.
