Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman has been facing criticism for his recent remarks about alleged communal bias in Bollywood. In an interview with BBC Asian Network, he reflected on getting fewer Hindi
film offers in recent years. During the conversation, he mentioned a shift in power within the industry and said that people who are “not creative” now hold influence. He also said it “might be a communal thing”, and his comment has sparked criticism. Actor Ranvir Shorey reacted to his comments, stating that every artist has to fight their own battles in the industry.
Ranvir Shorey’s Reaction To AR Rahman’s Comments
In a conversation with ANI, when asked whether he agreed with AR Rahman’s comments, Ranvir Shorey said, “I don’t think so. I’ve actually heard that he charges a lot. I can’t comment on somebody else’s life. I don’t know why he feels that way. I’m sure he has his reasons.”
He explained that while he has faced bias in the industry, it has not been communal but rather political and feudal in nature. “But when it comes to bias, I have faced biases that are not communal in nature, but political and feudal. Your career is shaped by how you deal with those biases. If I say there are biases against me and that’s why I haven’t gotten work, that’s everyone’s struggle. It’s about how you build your career despite those biases. If I say that, I’ll be told I’m whining. I’m sure there are biases, but I don’t think they are all of one kind,” he said.
What Did AR Rahman Say?
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, AR Rahman said that people who are not creative, now have the power to decide things. “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,” he said.
After facing criticism for his remark about communal bias, AR Rahman issued a clarification through a video message stating that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood, but his purpose has always been to uplift, honour, and serve through music.
