‘Disagree, don’t disgrace’: AR Rahman’s daughters break silence as ‘character assassination’ over communal remarks intensifies

Menon noted that what’s followed Rahman’s confession has gone far beyond disagreement and entered the territory of “abuse and character assassination”. “Calling a globally respected artist a ‘disgrace’, questioning his faith, mocking his recent works, and reducing his lived experience to a ‘victim card’ is not criticism. It’s hate speech presented as opinion,” Menon argued.

He added that Rahman is not a “random voice”, but has given “decades of contribution to Tamil culture, Indian cinema, and global music.” He said that all of an artist’s contributions should not vanish just because of the expression of a personal view. “What is not fair is public humiliation or attacking his integrity to silence what he said. Freedom of speech applies to Rahman as much as it applies to his critics. Criticism is fine, but outrage without respect says more about us than about him,” wrote Menon.

Khatija not only reposted Menon’s note, but also commented clapping, fire, hundred, and heart emojis on his post. While both of Rahman’s daughters have shown support towards their father, his son AR Ameen hasn’t responded to the controversy publicly yet. The backlash was so extreme that Rahman had to post a video message on Sunday in order to clarify his intentions.

Rahman’s clarification

“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 me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices,” Rahman said in the video.

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He also listed the details of his contributions to India’s growth and diverse culture. “Each journey has strengthened my purpose,” said Rahman, adding at the end that he has the “honour” of composing, along with Hollywood legend Hans Zimmer, the two-part film adaptation of Indian epic, the Ramayana, helmed by Nitesh Tiwari.

Rahman’s communal comment

In a BBC interview, when asked whether there is ‘prejudice within the Hindi film landscape’ against the Tamil community or people who are not from Maharashtra, AR Rahman said: “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.”