AR Rahman Reflects on Miscommunication and Bollywood Dynamics
Last month, renowned composer AR Rahman sparked widespread attention with his remarks suggesting that the Hindi film industry might have grown more "communal" in recent times. Following the initial reaction, he clarified that his words had been misinterpreted, emphasizing the importance of accurate communication in today's media landscape.
Miscommunication Highlighted Through Whisper Game
During a recent appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Rahman pointed to a whisper game segment as a perfect example of how messages can become distorted when passed along. He explained, "This is a good exercise to see how information gets misunderstood. Different states, different cultures. The problem with the world is this, how messages get corrupted on the way." His comments underscore the challenges of maintaining clarity in an era of rapid information sharing.
Promoting Silent Film 'Gandhi Talks'
Rahman joined the show to promote his latest project, the silent film 'Gandhi Talks', directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar. He was accompanied by the film's stars, including Vijay Sethupathi, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Siddharth Jadhav. Discussing the soundtrack, Rahman shared that working on a film without dialogues presented both creative freedom and significant pressure.
"If there are no dialogues, it's such a celebration of music. Because you have all the real estate to do music, but also terrifying because people will be judging. Every note will be exposed," he remarked. Rahman praised director Belekar for his supportive approach, calling him the first filmmaker to fully embrace every tune he created. "He's the first director who never came and told me anything negative and said, 'I don't like this.' Whatever I give, he takes it. Even if I play 'tang', he would say yes," quipped the Oscar-winning composer.
Opening Up About Power Shifts in Bollywood
In a separate interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman opened up about the reasons behind his reduced opportunities in the Hindi film industry over the past eight years. He attributed this to a significant "power shift" within the industry, stating, "Maybe in the past eight years because a power shift has happened and people who are not creative have the power now. 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."
This statement quickly ignited online conversations, prompting Rahman to issue a clarification shortly after to address any misunderstandings. His insights shed light on the evolving dynamics and challenges faced by artists in Bollywood's competitive environment.
As the entertainment world continues to evolve, Rahman's experiences highlight the importance of clear communication and the impact of industry changes on creative professionals. His work on 'Gandhi Talks' represents a bold step in exploring new artistic avenues, while his candid discussions about Bollywood offer valuable perspectives for fans and industry observers alike.
