AR Rahman Sparks Controversy with Bollywood Work Comments
Renowned music composer and singer AR Rahman recently found himself at the center of a heated debate. He hinted that he might not be getting enough work from Bollywood due to a power shift or possible communal reasons. His remarks quickly went viral and attracted significant backlash from various quarters.
Chinmayi Sripada Comes to Rahman's Defense
Amid the growing controversy, singer Chinmayi Sripada stepped forward to support AR Rahman. This came after a fresh allegation surfaced on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The allegation claimed that Rahman once refused to sing Vande Mataram during an interview.
Chinmayi Sripada responded strongly to these claims. She asserted that Rahman regularly performs his patriotic hit Maa Tujhe Salaam at almost every concert. She also shared specific details to counter the false narrative.
Chinmayi Sripada wrote on social media, "A R Rahman and all of us sang Vande Mataram to a crowd that chanted with us on November 23 2025 in Pune at the R K Laxman memorial award concert. He sings Maa Tujhe Salaam at almost every concert. Everyone who has attended his concerts knows this. Maybe he felt his voice was not at its best or just didn’t feel like singing that day when you interviewed him. And that’s perfectly OK."
She further added, "The responses under this tweet saying 'OH THAT EXPLAINS IT' show exactly what’s gone wrong in the recent past." Her statement highlights the misinterpretation and rush to judgment that often accompanies such controversies.
Rahman's Comments on Bollywood Power Shift
The initial controversy began with AR Rahman's interview on BBC Asian Network. He openly discussed losing work in the Hindi film industry over the past eight years. Rahman attributed this to a noticeable power shift within Bollywood.
He stated, "It might be a communal thing also… but it is 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 say good, I have more time to chill with my family. I am not in search of work. I don’t want to go in search of work. I want work to come to me; my sincerity to earn work. Whatever I deserve, I get."
These comments stirred strong reactions across the entertainment industry and among fans. Many interpreted his words as pointing to deeper issues of bias and exclusion in Bollywood.
AR Rahman's Views on Film Chhaava
In the same interview, AR Rahman also shared his thoughts on the film Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal. He described the movie as divisive and suggested it cashed in on divisiveness.
Rahman explained, "It is a divisive film. I think it cashed in on divisiveness, but I think the core of it is to show bravery. I had asked the director, 'Why did he need me for this film?' But he said that we need only you for this. It is an enjoyable film, but definitely people are smarter than that. Do you think people are going to get influenced by movies? They have something called internal conscience, which knows what the truth is, and what manipulation is."
He further criticized certain elements of the film, calling them cliché and cringe. Specifically, he pointed out scenes where characters say words like Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah when something bad happens. Rahman felt this portrayal was stereotypical and lacked authenticity.
The Oscar-winning composer's candid remarks have ignited discussions about representation, creative freedom, and the evolving dynamics within the Indian film industry. As the debate continues, supporters like Chinmayi Sripada emphasize the importance of context and fairness in evaluating public figures' statements.
