Amaal Malik Weighs In on AR Rahman's Controversial Industry Remarks
In the wake of AR Rahman's recent comments about communal bias in the Hindi film industry, singer-composer Amaal Malik has offered his perspective, acknowledging the broader industry dynamics while disagreeing with the communal angle. The debate, which has drawn reactions from numerous entertainment figures, continues to spark discussions about fairness and opportunity in Bollywood's music landscape.
Understanding Rahman's Point Without the Communal Lens
Amaal Malik, in a conversation with Faridoon Shahryar, expressed that he comprehends the larger issue Rahman aimed to highlight but does not align with the communal interpretation. "From an industry perspective, what he has said is largely correct. However, I do not agree with the communal aspect of it," Malik stated. He emphasized that the current environment is shaped more by business decisions than communal biases, pointing to the role of labels and management agencies.
Malik elaborated, "Forget nepotism and groupism — today, every label is comfortable working with its own set of artistes. They promote those artistes because they bring revenue. In today's time, labels have become the real decision-makers." This shift, he noted, has created a system where financial considerations often override other factors, influencing which artists get opportunities.
The Era of Labels and Creative Synergies
Delving deeper into the industry's workings, Amaal Malik highlighted how creative partnerships naturally form, citing examples like Mani Ratnam's frequent collaborations with AR Rahman and Anurag Basu's preference for Pritam. "I once told Anurag Basu sir that I love his work, and he said he only thinks in Pritam's musical language. These creative synergies naturally form," he shared. Malik argued that such preferences are not inherently problematic but become an issue when they limit opportunities for talented newcomers or established figures outside certain circles.
He added, "Labels are comfortable with their artistes — and there's nothing wrong with that. But if someone is making better music, they should be given priority, whether it's AR Rahman or a newcomer." This statement underscores the need for merit-based recognition in an industry increasingly driven by commercial alliances.
Challenges Faced by Even Top Composers
Amaal Malik pointed out that the current system poses challenges even for renowned composers like AR Rahman and Pritam. "The industry wants to work with big names like AR Rahman and Pritam da. There are only a few such composers, yet none of them are working as much as Pritam da," he observed. He explained that over the past 15 years, a new framework has emerged where labels prioritize their roster of artists, often not waiting for approvals from high-profile figures.
Malik clarified, "And if AR Rahman can't challenge this system, how can someone like me?" He stressed that Rahman's comments should not be misconstrued as insecurity, noting, "This is not AR Rahman's insecurity — he is far too big for that. He is only showing the tip of the iceberg. He is pointing out that even someone of his stature can be sidelined. The bigger players today have a bigger say and are overpowering the system."
Industry Reactions and the Path Forward
The controversy has elicited responses from various industry stalwarts, including Rani Mukerji, Kangana Ranaut, Javed Akhtar, and Manoj Muntashir, who have publicly disagreed with AR Rahman's remarks, further fueling the debate. Amidst these differing opinions, Amaal Malik advocates for a focus on artistic excellence. "The only way forward is to focus on making good music. I don't run behind doing 15 films at a time," he remarked, suggesting that quality work remains the ultimate key to navigating the industry's complexities.
As the discussion unfolds, it highlights broader issues of access, representation, and power dynamics in Bollywood's music sector, with Amaal Malik's insights adding a nuanced layer to the conversation about how labels and creative partnerships shape the artistic landscape.
