International music icon A.R. Rahman faced significant public backlash following a BBC Asian Network interview where he discussed a perceived “power shift” and “communal bias” in the Hindi film industry.
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The Controversy
Rahman suggested that “communal reasons” or “communal whispers” may have led to him receiving less work in Bollywood over the last eight years.
He reportedly described the Vicky Kaushal-starrer film Chhaava as “divisive,” leading to strong reactions from social media and industry figures.
Actress Kangana Ranaut criticized Rahman on social media, claiming he had previously refused to work on her film Emergency, calling it a “propaganda film.”
Other musicians, such as Shaan, disagreed with his stance, stating that there is no “minority angle” in the music industry and only quality work matters.
Rahman’s Clarification
Following the uproar, Rahman released a video message on January 18, 2026, to address the situation.
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He stated that his words were “misunderstood” and that he never intended to cause pain or hurt anyone’s sentiments.
He described India as his “inspiration, teacher, and home,” emphasizing that his career has always been dedicated to celebrating Indian culture.
He reiterated that his primary goal has always been to “uplift, honor, and serve” through his work
