'Never Wished To Cause Pain': AR Rahman Says He Never Meant to Hurt Anyone in 'Communal' Remark Row
AR Rahman in a video message said he never intended to hurt anyone's feelings with his comments and called India his "home, inspiration and teacher".
Mumbai: Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has stepped forward to clarify his recent 'communal' remarks that triggered a storm in the Hindi film world.
What did Rahman say?
In a video message shared on Instagram, Rahman said he never intended to hurt anyone's feelings with his comments. He called India his "home, inspiration and teacher" and said music has always been his way of celebrating culture and unity. Rahman added that he hopes people understand his sincerity and good intentions.
On Sunday, taking to Instagram, Rahman shared a video message with the caption," Music, culture, gratitude. Always in service of the art and the land that shaped me."
In the video, Rahman said, "Dear friends, music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring a culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood, but my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain and I hope my sincerity is felt."
Reflecting on his journey, the singer and composer said, “From nurturing Jala presented at the Wave Summit in front of the Honourable Prime Minister and Ruhi Noor, to collaborating with the young Naga musicians, to create a string orchestra, 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.”
In the end of the video, Rahman expressed gratitude to India and reaffirmed his commitment to creating music that, in his words, "honours the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future."
A post shared by AR Rahman: Official Updates (@arrofficialupdates)
Why did this controversy start?
The debate began after Rahman spoke to the BBC Asian Network about changes in Bollywood over the past eight years. He said the amount of work he gets from the Hindi film industry has dropped, and he suggested this might be linked to a shift in decision-making power and “possibly a communal thing”, though he said he had not faced discrimination directly.
Rahman described hearing such stories through “Chinese whispers” rather than personal experience.
The composer 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."
How did the industry react?
Several well-known figures in the entertainment world pushed back against the implication that Bollywood was becoming communal.
Writer and columnist Shobhaa De called the comment "dangerous" and said she doesn’t see religion playing a role in opportunities for talent.
"This is a very dangerous comment. I don't know why he has made it, you should ask him. I have been watching Bollywood for 50 years. And if I have seen any place which is free of any kind of communal tension, it is Bollywood. If you have talent, you will get a chance. If you don't have talent, there is no question of religion being a factor that you are not getting a chance," she said.
She concluded, "So, what he is saying, he is such a successful man, he is such a mature man. He should not have said it, maybe he has his reasons, you will have to ask him."
Singer Shaan also denied that there was any "minority angle" in music industry work, saying talent and good work are what matter most.
Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar said he hasn’t felt any communal bias and believes Rahman’s reduced work may be due to other factors.
Is there more backlash?
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy rejected the idea that Rahman’s religion played a role in his career trajectory. The leader called the suggestion “absolutely false” and said Rahman has widespread support across communities.
"AR Rahman's comment today 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," ANI news agency quoted Reddy as saying.
"The people of the country have never seen Rahman through the lens of religion," he added, calling it "unfortunate that he has made a comment on religion."
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also criticised Rahman’s comments. National spokesperson Vinod Bansal accused him of defaming the film industry and suggested he focus on himself rather than blame others. The VHP also made provocative remarks about his personal background.
“It seems that AR Rahman too has become a leader of the faction whose leader was once former Vice President Hamid Ansari. Hamid Ansari availed benefits for 10 years and held Constitutional posts. While retiring, he pulled down India. He (AR Rahman) was adored by all Indians and Hindu people. 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," Bansal said.
