Mumbai: Oscar winning composer AR Rahman has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent remarks about losing work in the Hindi film industry. A few days after his remarks created controversy, the music maestro published an emotional video message on social media explaining his motives and reminding about his profound affection with India and its multicultural layers.
Rahman had earlier suggested in an interview that a power shift in the Hindi music industry over the last eight years may have affected the kind of work coming his way. He also stated that it might be a communal angle, which some voices in the industry reacted strongly to.
Rahman Clarifies His Intent
On Sunday, Rahman took to Instagram to clear the air. In his video message, he stressed that his words were never meant to hurt anyone. Rahman referred to India as his inspiration, teacher and home and explained that he has always been devoted to serving the nation with music and creativity.
He acknowledged that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood but hoped that people would feel the sincerity behind his words. Rahman said he was blessed to be Indian, and to be living in a nation where freedom of expression exists, where the voices of multiculturalism are celebrated.
The composer concluded his message by saying that he remains grateful to the nation and committed to music that honours the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future. Instead, he concluded with Jai Hind and Jai Ho, and the video concluded with an impressive shot of a cricket stadium singing his classic patriotic song Vande Mataram.
Highlighting His Contribution to Indian Music
In the same video, AR Rahman listed several initiatives he has been involved in to strengthen India’s music landscape. He talked about mentoring the JHALAA, a 12 member raga based ensemble that had performed at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Under his music label KM Musiq, Rahman launched Rooh E Noor, an all women music ensemble led by his daughter Khatija Rahman. He also spoke about Sunshine Orchestra, one of the flagship projects of the AR Rahman Foundation, which offers free education of Western classical music to children with a poor economic background.
Another project he highlighted was Secret Mountain, an artificial intelligence powered multicultural virtual band conceptualised by him last year. Rahman also mentioned collaborating with the young Naga musicians to form a string orchestra, terming it as a very profound experience.
The Comment That Sparked the Debate
The controversy began after AR Rahman’s interview with BBC Asian Network, where he spoke about receiving less work in Hindi cinema. He connected it to the change in power in the industry, and claimed it could be possibly a communal problem, but not one that he was facing.
AR Rahman clarified during the interview that he does not chase work and prefers letting his sincerity attract opportunities. He also mentioned that whatever is due to him will come one day and that the absence of projects gives him more time to spend with his family.
Mixed Reactions from the Film Industry
Several industry figures reacted strongly to AR Rahman’s statement. Bollywood is among the most accommodating places that writer Shobhaa De has ever encountered in her 50-year history of watching the game and cautioned against such a belief.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar stated that he has never experienced communal bias in Bollywood and believes Rahman commands immense respect across the industry. Singer Shaan also ruled out the notion of communal approach, indicating that music cuts across such lines and the only thing that counts is good work.
Actor Kangana Ranaut, however, took a sharply critical tone. She said that Rahman was discriminatory towards her political stand and that he even refused to even see her in her film Emergency saying that such an attitude was ironical considering the acclaim that her film got.
A Legacy Beyond Controversy
Despite the controversy, AR Rahman continues to remain focused on his work. He is currently co composing the music for Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana, alongside Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer. Both the parts of the epic feature Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol, with the former part, set to be released during Diwali.
Rahman has established, in his most recent message, that music, purpose, and gratitude are the forces that move him on instead of bitterness, and this is what proves to the audiences once again why he is one of the most respected creative voices in India.
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