AR Rahman Responds to Criticism Over Communal Remark
AR Rahman has addressed the backlash he received for suggesting the Hindi film industry turned communal. The renowned composer shared a video message on Instagram to clarify his stance. He expressed regret over any misunderstanding his words caused.
Rahman's Video Message and Clarification
In the video, Rahman stated his intentions were never to cause pain. He emphasized his deep love for India. Rahman called India his inspiration and home. He highlighted his commitment to uplifting and serving through music.
Rahman said he feels blessed to be Indian. He praised the country for allowing freedom of expression. The composer noted that India celebrates multicultural voices. His message aimed to clear the air after recent controversy.
Listing Recent Musical Efforts
Rahman detailed several projects to showcase his contributions. He mentioned mentoring JHALAA, a raga-based ensemble. This group performed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai.
He also discussed Rooh-E-Noor, an all-women music ensemble. This project is led by his daughter Khatija Rahman under his label KM Musiq. Rahman referenced the Sunshine Orchestra, which provides free Western classical music education to underprivileged children.
Additionally, he brought up Secret Mountain, an AI-powered virtual band. Rahman is co-composing music for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana adaptation with Hans Zimmer. He concluded his message with patriotic sentiments, ending with "Jai Hind and Jai Ho."
Background of the Controversy
The controversy began when Rahman gave an interview to BBC Asian Network. He confessed to receiving less work in the Hindi music industry recently. Rahman attributed this to a power shift over the last eight years.
He suggested this shift might involve communal factors. This remark sparked criticism from various quarters. Figures like Shobhaa De and Kangana Ranaut publicly criticized his statement. Rahman's clarification seeks to mend fences and reaffirm his dedication.
The video ended with a clip of a cricket stadium singing "Vande Mataram." This patriotic song, originally released in 1997, remains one of Rahman's iconic compositions. His response aims to highlight his ongoing efforts in India's music landscape.
