AR Rahman Says He Didn’t Mean to Hurt Anyone After ‘Communal’ Comment Backlash

Summary: Oscar-winning composer clarifies remarks on Bollywood, insists India is his inspiration.

Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman has stepped forward to clarify his recent comments that sparked a heated debate about the Hindi film industry and communal bias, saying he never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings with his words.

The controversy began after Rahman — one of India’s most celebrated musicians — spoke in an interview about how his work in Bollywood has slowed over the past eight years. He mentioned that, as a “power shift” happened in the industry, decisions increasingly rested with people who “are not creative,” and that this might have been a communal thing, even though it was never said to him directly.

Almost immediately after the interview circulated, a wave of backlash hit social media and entertainment circles. Some critics argued that suggesting communal bias in Bollywood was unfair or unsubstantiated. Columnist Shobhaa De called Rahman's remark "dangerous," adding that Bollywood has always been a merit-based industry where talent triumphs above religion. 

Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar also chimed in, claiming that he does not feel there is a communal element to Rahman's career swings and suggesting alternate explanations, such as changing industry systems.

Under pressure from the debate, Rahman uploaded a video message on social media, where he walked back any suggestion that he meant to cause pain or division. In the message, he said that music has always been his bridge to culture and unity, and at no point did he want to “hurt anyone’s sentiments.” He also reaffirmed that India is his inspiration, teacher and home, and expressed gratitude for the creative freedom he feels the country offers.

Rahman presented his opinions and took the opportunity to highlight his current and previous efforts to promote Indian music and diversity. He spoke on mentoring traditional ensembles and composing music for culturally significant films, including his upcoming work on Ramayana, which he co-wrote with Hans Zimmer, showcasing his commitment to India's artistic community.

The entire episode has sparked a wider discussion on traditional artistic freedom compared to changing industry trends. Some artists and journalists backed Rahman's freedom to share his personal experiences, but some contend that vague terms such as "communal" do not accurately reflect the true nature of the film industry. This highlights the significance of engaging in thoughtful and critical discussions regarding culture, religion, and film.