AR Rahman Speaks Out: Bollywood Is Sidelining The Mozart of Madras’

NEW DELHI- The BJP on January 16 flatly rejected allegations made by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman that work opportunities in the Hindi film industry have slowed for him in recent years due to shifting power dynamics and, possibly, what he described as a communal thing.

Over the decades, Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has shaped Indian cinema with some of its most unforgettable musical creations and continues to remain an influential force in the industry. In a recent interaction with BBC Asian Network, Rahman spoke candidly about how changing power structures within the Hindi film industry have impacted the volume of work he receives.

Reflecting on his early journey in Bollywood, Rahman shared that despite the success of films such as ‘Roja’, ‘Bombay’, and ‘Dil Se’, he still felt like an outsider as a Tamil composer working in a predominantly Hindi-speaking industry. It was only after Subhash Ghai’s ‘Taal’ that he felt a deeper sense of acceptance. According to Rahman, the album transcended regional boundaries and became part of everyday life across North India. He noted that its blend of Punjabi, Hindi, and folk influences helped it resonate widely, making it difficult for many to even imagine the music as coming from a composer whose first language was Tamil.

Rahman also recalled an important moment in his professional growth when filmmaker Subhash Ghai advised him to learn Hindi. Instead, Rahman chose to study Urdu, recognizing it as the foundational language of Hindi film music during the 1960s and 1970s. His linguistic exploration did not stop there — he later learned Arabic due to its phonetic similarity to Urdu and eventually embraced Punjabi, inspired by his collaboration with singer Sukhwinder Singh.

When asked about experiencing bias in the Hindi film industry during the 1990s or discrimination against South Indian artistes, Rahman said he never directly felt excluded during those years. However, he observed that the last eight years have been different. He suggested that a shift in power towards individuals lacking creative sensibilities may have influenced opportunities, adding that communal factors could also be at play, though not overtly or directly.

Rahman explained that he often hears indirectly about projects where he was initially considered but later replaced due to internal decisions by music companies. Despite these changes, Rahman said he remains unaffected and philosophical about the situation. He emphasized that he does not actively seek work and prefers to focus on family and personal time. For him, sincerity and dedication to his craft are what ultimately bring meaningful opportunities. He believes that whatever is meant for him will come naturally, without the need for pursuit or compromise.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said he disagreed with Rahman’s allegations, pointing out that several prominent Muslim artists continue to enjoy widespread success and admiration across the country. “I believe there is no truth to A.R. Rahman’s allegations. The Hindi film industry has many artists from the Muslim community, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan, who are loved by people in Maharashtra and across India,” Athawale said.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai termed the issue unfortunate and deeply concerning. “A.R. Rahman is a great musician and an Oscar winner who is known all over the world. If he is facing difficulties because he is a Muslim, then it is very sad and wrong. Sidelining someone of his stature is a loss not only for the film industry but for the country,” Dalwai said. (IANS)