6 min readMumbaiUpdated: Jan 19, 2026 07:51 AM IST
AR Rahman has clarified the intentions behind his recent remarks suggesting that he may have lost work in the Hindi film industry due to “communal” reasons in the last eight years. The Oscar-winning composer made this insinuation while confessing that he’s been getting less work because of a “power shift” in the Hindi music industry. On Sunday, Rahman took to Instagram to share a video statement, clarifying his stance and adding he didn’t want to cause pain to anyone while listing his initiatves to further the cause of India and its music.
‘I hope my sincerity is felt’
“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. I have never wished to cause pain and I hope my sincerity is felt. I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices,” said Rahman in the video.
He added, “From nurturing JHALAA, presented at the WAVES Summit in front of the honourable Prime Minister and Rooh-E-Noor, to collaborating with the young Naga musicians to create a string orchestra to mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, and also building Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band and the honour of scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer, each journey has strengthened my purpose.”
‘I remain grateful to this nation’
“I remain grateful to this nation and committed to music that honours the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future. Jai Hind and Jai Ho,” Rahman said at the conclusion of his message. The video ended with a cricket stadium singing in unison his 1997 seminal patriotic song “Vande Matram”.
Also Read – AR Rahman’s comment on film industry becoming ‘communal’ is ‘dangerous’, says Shobhaa De: ‘Religion is not a factor in getting work’
AR Rahman lists his initiatives
In the video, AR Rahman also listed recent efforts undertaken by him for the progress of India’s music landscape. He referred to JHALAA, a 12-member raga-based music ensemble which he mentored. The band performed in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai last year. Under his music label KM Musiq, Rahman launched an all-women music ensemble called Rooh-E-Noor, led by his daughter Khatija Rahman.
He also cited the example of Sunshine Orchestra, a flagship project under the AR Rahman Foundation, which provides free Western classical music education to children from socioeconomically deprived classes. Rahman also mentioned Secret Mountain, an Artificial Intelligence-powered metahuman digital band conceived by him last year.
Rahman is also co-composing the score and music for Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation of Indian epic the Ramayana. He’s collaborated with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer on the two-part project, starring Ranbir Kapor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol among others. Part 1 is slated to release in cinemas this Diwali.
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Also Read – Kangana Ranaut calls AR Rahman most ‘hateful and prejudiced’: ‘You even refused to meet me for Emergency, called it propaganda’
AR Rahman’s communal comment
Earlier this week, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, AR Rahman confessed that less work has been coming his way in the Hindi music industry. He attributed it to a power shift within the Hindi film industry in the last eight years and also perhaps to “a communal thing.”
He was answering if there is any prejudice against him in Bollywood given he is a Tamilian and cannot speak Marathi. “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,” he answered, adding, “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.”
How industry reacted to AR Rahman’s ‘communal’ comment
Shobhaa De: “This is a very dangerous comment. I don’t know why he has made it, you should ask him. I have been watching Bollywood for 50 years. And if I have seen any place which is free of any kind of communal tension, it is Bollywood. If you have talent, you will get a chance. If you don’t have talent, there is no question of religion being a factor that you are not getting a chance.”
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Javed Akhtar: “I have never felt this way. I meet people here in Mumbai. They have great respect for him. Rahman is such a big man. Even a small producer is afraid to go to him. But I don’t think there is any communal element in this. Why don’t you see him? He will definitely come.”
Shaan: “I don’t think there is any communal or minority angle here. Music doesn’t work that way. If it did, then even our three superstars of the last 30 years, who also belong to minority communities, would not have continued to grow. The key is to do good work, make good music, and not overthink these things.”
Kangana Ranaut: “Dear @arrahman ji, I face so much prejudice and partiality in the film industry because I support a saffron party yet I must say I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you. I desperately wanted to narrate my directorial Emergency to you. Forget narration, you even refused to meet me. I was told you don’t want to be part of a propaganda film. Ironically, Emergency was called a masterpiece by all critics. Even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters appreciating the film for its balanced and compassionate approach but you are blinded by your hate. I feel sorry for you #emergency.”
AR Rahman issues a clarification after backlash for suggesting Hindi film industry has become communal.