AR Rahman Addresses Controversy Over Hindi Film Industry Comments
AR Rahman's Response to Criticism
On Sunday, renowned music composer AR Rahman responded to backlash regarding his recent remarks about a perceived “communal” bias in the Hindi film industry over the last eight years. He emphasized that he never intended to offend anyone.
In an Instagram video, the 59-year-old Oscar winner expressed that while his intentions might sometimes be misinterpreted, his goal has consistently been to “uplift, honour and serve through music.”
“I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is recognized,” he stated.
Rahman expressed gratitude for being Indian, as it provides him the opportunity to “create a space that promotes freedom of expression and celebrates diverse voices.”
This clarification comes after his recent interview with a media outlet, where Rahman mentioned that the Hindi film industry has changed over the past eight years, linking it to a shift in power dynamics and possibly to “a communal aspect.”
He noted that such decisions often reach him indirectly, through “Chinese whispers,” and clarified that these changes were not aimed at him personally.
Rahman also expressed confidence in the audience's ability to judge and stated that they are not swayed by “divisive” films.
His comments ignited a political controversy, with the ruling party dismissing his statements while opposition leaders voiced their concerns.