AR Rahman’s comment on film industry becoming ‘communal’ is ‘dangerous’, says Shobhaa De: ‘Religion is not a factor in getting work’

Speaking to ANI, she said, “This is a very dangerous comment. I don’t know why he has said it. I have been observing Bollywood for the last 50 years, and if I have seen any place free of communal tensions, it is Bollywood. If you have talent, you will get opportunities, and if you don’t have talent, then religion is not a factor in whether you get work or not. What he is saying, he is such a successful and mature man, he should not have said this. Maybe he has his reasons; you should ask him.”

To those unaware, Rahman was asked whether there exists prejudice within the Hindi film industry, particularly against people from the Tamil community or those who are not from Maharashtra. In response, the composer said he had not directly experienced discrimination but suggested that structural changes in power dynamics may have played a role. “Maybe I never get to know of this, maybe it was concealed but I didn’t feel any of this. 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 5 composers. I say good, I have more time to chill with my family. I am not in search for work. I don’t want to go in search for work. I want work to come to me; my sincerity to earn work. Whatever I deserve, I get.”

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In the same conversation, Rahman also addressed his earlier comment about being proud of the soundtrack of Chhaava, despite the film being widely criticised for its divisive undertones. “It is a divisive film. I think it capitalised on divisiveness, but at its core, it tries to show bravery. I had asked the director why he needed me for this film, and he said only I could do it. It is an enjoyable film, but people are smarter than that. Do you really think people get influenced by films so easily? They have an internal conscience that tells them what is truth and what is manipulation.”

On the professional front, Rahman has several high-profile projects lined up. These include Ramayana, where he is co-composing with international music icon Hans Zimmer, as well as Lahore 1947 and Hansal Mehta’s Gandhi. All three projects are slated for release in 2026.