Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman addressed the recent backlash he faced after his comments on facing instances of communal discrimination in Bollywood in a recent interview.
In a video posted to Instagram, he addressed how his intentions behind his remarks were misunderstood. “India is my inspiration, my teacher, and I understand the intention can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music,” he said in the video statement.
“I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt. I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices,” He continued.
He also spoke about his multicultural endeavours and the strides he was making in the music industry to make sure all voices are heard equally. “From nurturing Jhalaa, presented at the Waves summit, in front of the honourable prime minister and Roohinoor, to collaborating with young Naga musicians to create a string orchestra and to mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, also building Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band and the honour of scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer, each journey has strengthened my purpose." he states in the video.
“I remain grateful to this nation and committed to music that honours the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future. Jai hind and jai ho.”
Rahman received major backlash from several BJP politicians and Bollywood names for commenting on losing work in the industry due to a power shift within the industry.
In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, when asked about discrimination against the Tamil community in Bollywood in the 1990’s, he said, "Maybe I didn't get to know all this stuff. Maybe God concealed all this stuff (laughed). I never felt all those."
Then he continued to say, “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. And they booked you and the music company went and funded the movie and got five composers, and i said oh that's great, rest for me." He also said that Chhaava, a film he composed for, cashed in on being "divisive."
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said, “Ar Rahman's comment that he is not getting support in the film music industry because of being Muslim is absolutely false. The country has supported and received him as the number one music director in the country.”
Javed Akhtar and Kangana Ranaut also added to the criticism.
On her Instagram stories, Ranaut said that Rahman was “prejudiced and hateful” for refusing to work on what he reportedly called a propaganda film. “I was told you don’t want to be part of a propaganda film. I face so much prejudice and partiality in the film industry because I support a saffron party, yet I must say I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you. Even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters appreciating the film for its balanced and compassionate approach, but you are blinded by your hate. I feel sorry for you,” she said.
Writer lyricist Javed Akhtar, who has worked on films with Rahman, dismissed the his comments, saying “I don’t think there is any communal element to this. I also doubt that he would ever say something like this. People have great respect for him. Maybe they assume he is too busy with work in the west or other shows. Small producers are possibly scared to approach him."
