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AR Rahman points to changes in Hindi film industry: ‘It could be a communal thing’ remark sparks debate

Rahman said, '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.'

South First Desk

Published Jan 17, 2026 | 4:16 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 17, 2026 | 4:16 PM

AR Rahman

AR Rahman. (Wikimedia)

Oscar winning music composer, AR Rahman, recently, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, said that there has been a lot of changes in the Hindi film industry in the last eight years. Speaking of less work coming his way, Rahman attributed the change primarily to a power shift, also hinting at communal bias.

The music director answering to a question about adjusting into the Hindi film industry in the 90s, being Tamil and facing prejudice, said, “Maybe I didn’t get to know all this stuff. Maybe God concealed all this stuff. But for me, I never felt any of those, but the past eight years, maybe, because the power shift has happened.”

Rahman further said, “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. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers. I said, ‘Oh, that’s great, rest for me, I can chill out with my family.”

When pointed by the interviewer that one needs to have a positive mindset to interpret it like that, Rahman added, “Because, I’m not in search of work. I want work to come to me, the sincerity of my work to earn things. I feel it’s a jinx of things when I go on in search.”

On collaborating on Chhaava

AR Rahman also spoke about working on Chhaava, a film criticised for it’s communal undertones.

Asked if he is now more conscious of his choices, he noted, “Some movies are now made with a bad intention, I try to avoid those movies.”

However, when asked about collaborating on Chhaava, Rahman accepted that the film was divisive. “It cashed on divisiveness, but I think the core of it is to show the bravery. I told the director, ‘why do you need me for this?’ He said we need only you for this. I think it was an enjoyable finish.

Rahman further stated, “Chhaava is the most celebrated character, it like the blood of every Maratha. I am very honoured to have scored the music for that movie, which is the pulse of every Maratha.”

He added, “But I definitely think people are smarter than that. Do you think people are going to get influenced by movies? They have something called internal conscience which knows what the truth is and what manipulation is.”

Rewind 2025: Looking at films through gender, caste lens

Criticised for using a ‘victim card’

However, his remarks soon attracted a lot of reactions online.

Many accounts on X, targeted his identity, and criticised him for using  a victim card.

A user wrote: ” Calling Chhaava “divisive” is peak hypocrisy. It’s straight history exposing Aurangzeb’s genocide. Showing facts isn’t divisive, hiding them is. Whining about “no work for 8 years” and blaming communalism/power shift? Classic victim card from a guy swimming in crores. He refused to evolve, refused to adapt to new tastes, now cries foul instead of reinventing like every real artist does.”

Another user, by the name Ram Vedi, wrote: “Meet saccha converted Musalman AR Rahman! He says he worked kn Chava even he thinks the movie is divisive. That means he did it only for money??? How low can he go for money??? Now he is working with RAMAYANA by Namit Malhotra!! We Hindus are doomed… 2 words for him???”

Meanwhile, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal, speaking to the media claimed, “Instead of looking within himself, that’s why he is not getting work, he is badmouthing the system and defaming the entire industry. What does he want to prove? He was once a Hindu himself. Why did he convert to Islam? Do ‘gharwapasi’ now. Maybe you will start getting work once again…Such petty statements can be made by a politician, it does not suit an artist.”

However, another, social media user, sharing  a clip of the interview, applauded the music director as someone with a spine.

He wrote: “Bollywood has become divisive, it now cashes in into the hate and division in the society : Oscar Winner AR Rahman. Finally, someone with a spine.”

Meanwhile, political analyst Sumanth Raman, took to X, to share his views, “AR Rahman ruled the world of music not just in India but also globally. For more than three decades. His religion was never an impediment to his music being loved by millions around the world. It never prevented him from winning Oscars. Now that the wheel of time has moved on as it inexorably will for all of us, he feels it is his religion that prevents him from getting work?”

He further wrote: “No sir. 99.99% of equally talented music directors can never even dream of scaling the peaks that you did. You have had a great run in the sun. The lights inevitably will begin to flicker and fade. No one in the world is exempt from this. There will be younger music directors who emerge to attempt to take your place. In an industry where Shahrukh, Salman and Aamir remain the brightest stars,to say that religion prevents you from getting work is an insult to all those who have celebrated and continue to celebrate you and your music.”

Also Read: Cinema, power and control in Tamil Nadu politics

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

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