Paresh Rawal Hails AR Rahman as National Pride After Cultural Statement
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal publicly expressed his deep admiration for music legend AR Rahman on Thursday. This heartfelt gesture came shortly after the Oscar-winning composer addressed his connection with India, music, and culture in a video message.
Rawal took to his social media account to reshare Rahman's video. He accompanied it with a warm message of support for the celebrated singer.
Rawal's Heartfelt Social Media Post
"We love you, sir. You are our pride," wrote Paresh Rawal in his post. The actor clearly wanted to show solidarity with Rahman during this period of public discussion.
This show of support followed Rahman's first public statement after facing criticism from some Indian celebrities. The controversy stemmed from remarks the musician made about Bollywood in a recent interview.
AR Rahman's Video Message About India and Music
Earlier on Thursday, AR Rahman posted a video message on his Instagram account. In this clip, he spoke passionately about his relationship with Indian culture without directly mentioning the ongoing controversy.
The music maestro explained how music has always served as his primary means of connecting with people and traditions. He acknowledged that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood by others.
"Dear friends, music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating, and honouring a culture," said Rahman in his video. "India is my inspiration, my teacher, and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood, but my purpose has always been to uplift, honour, and serve through music."
Rahman emphasized that he never intended to cause any pain through his words. He expressed hope that people would recognize his sincere dedication to his art and his country.
Rahman's Musical Journey and Achievements
In his detailed message, Rahman highlighted several significant projects that demonstrate his commitment to Indian music:
- Presenting "Jala" at the Wave Summit before the Honourable Prime Minister
- Collaborating with young Naga musicians to create a string orchestra
- Mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra
- Building Secret Mountain, India's first multicultural virtual band
- Scoring Ramayana alongside renowned composer Hans Zimmer
"Each journey has strengthened my purpose," Rahman stated. "I remain grateful for this and committed to music that honours the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future."
He concluded his message with patriotic salutations, saying "Jai Hind and Jai Bharat."
Background of the Controversy
The recent discussion began when AR Rahman gave an interview to BBC Asian Network. During this conversation, he mentioned that work from the Hindi film industry had decreased for him in recent years.
Rahman connected this change to broader shifts within Bollywood over the past eight years. His comments prompted reactions from both fans and film industry personalities across India.
Paresh Rawal's public support now adds another dimension to this ongoing conversation about artistic expression and cultural identity in Indian cinema.
