Music maestro AR Rahman has been facing backlash for his comments in an interview with BBC Asian Network. The Oscar-winning music composer said that people who are not creative, now have the power to decide
things. He also said it “might be a communal thing”, which led to strong reactions from social media users and sections of the film industry. Soon after, AR Rahman issued a clarification via a video message on social media. Now, amid the backlash, his colleague and Bollywood composer Mithoon has come out in AR Rahman’s support. He said that Rahman has every right to say what he felt.
Mithoon Defends AR Rahman
In a conversation with Mid-Day, Mithoon showed his support for AR Rahman and said, “I have grown up looking up to Rahman sir. He was the man who threw every textbook rule out of the window, yet created a powerful impact in our industry.” He further took a stand for the music maestro, and said that he is entitled to his opinion. “It’s been over three decades, and the country continues to love him. He has every right to say what he felt. All I can say, as his contemporary, is that this country will continue to love him. There can be no other AR Rahman,” said Mithoon.
When asked about the power shifts in the industry, Mithoon said, “I haven’t experienced anything like this [but] this must be happening in every field. For instance, copywriters feel their bosses don’t understand what they are doing or directors feel that producers don’t understand. Ultimately, our job is to engage the audience with our art.”
AR Rahman’s Remark And Clarification
In an interview with BBC Network, AR 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. 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.”
After facing criticism for his remark about communal bias, AR Rahman issued a clarification through a video message. “Music has been always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring our 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,” Rahman said in the clip.
“I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices,” he added. Rahman went on to list several projects that reflect his commitment to inclusive and meaningful work. “From nurturing JHALAA presented at the Wave Summit in front of the Honourable Prime Minister and Rooh-e-Noor, to collaborating with young Naga musicians to create a string orchestra, to mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, to building Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band, and the honour of scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer, each journey has strengthened my purpose. I remain grateful to this nation and committed to music,” he said.
