Border 2 lyricist Manoj Muntashir has taken a strong stand against AR Rahman for claiming that the film industry has communal bias. The acclaimed writer
cited examples of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan's super stardom to reject Chhaava composer remarks, stating that there is no discrimination in the film industry. Meanwhile, AR Rahman found himself in the middle of a storm after he made a statement that he has not been given much work in the last few years seemingly due to communal politics. Manoj spoke at length with IANS about what he sees as the inclusive nature of Indian cinema, stressing that talent, not religion, has always been the deciding factor for success.
Manoj Muntashir Talks About Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan's Success
Manoj countered AR Rahman's claim by pointing to the towering stardom of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. According to him, the fact that the country's biggest superstars come from one community itself challenges the narrative of bias. He argued that Indian cinema has consistently celebrated artists across religions, not just actors but also writers, poets and technicians.
In his view, legends like Javed Akhtar, Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri becoming household names shows how deeply rooted inclusiveness is in the industry.
He further explained that a look at the credits of any Hindi film tells its own story. Hundreds of people work behind the scenes, representing diverse backgrounds. Manoj said he has never seen a pattern where one religion is favoured over another. He openly questioned the idea that something fundamentally changed in the last eight years, adding that he finds it difficult to understand why that specific time frame keeps coming up in the debate.
However, the Adipurush fame writer acknowledged AR Rahman's global stature and contribution to Indian music, stating that the nation takes pride in him. At the same time, he said disagreement does not mean disrespect. He cited recent blockbusters like Pathaan and Jawan, which shattered box office records, as examples of how audiences continue to embrace artists without prejudice.
What Is The AR Rahman Controversy All About?
The row began when AR Rahman, in a recent interaction, spoke about his reduced presence in Hindi films over the past several years. He linked it to a shift in power and hinted at communal politics influencing opportunities in the industry. The comment quickly went viral, triggering mixed reactions. While some supported the composer, many strongly disagreed, saying his claims ignored ground realities.
Following the backlash, the Oscar-winning music composer later released a video message clarifying his statement. He apologised if his words hurt sentiments and said it was never his intention to cause pain.
