‘I can write Ram aartis’: Why Javed Akhtar is clashing with AR Rahman over Bollywood’s ‘communal’ shift

“When I grew up, it was a very different world. If I tell you about it, you’d think I’m saying filmy things. But that’s how it was,” Akhtar told O2India last year. “I must have witnessed the tail end of what we call the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb in Awadh, where I grew up. That’s something rare. I don’t know if you’ll be able to capture that world or that value system again,” he added.

Akhtar argued that though it was not a religious household, since his father and most of the family were Communists, they were perceived to be Muslims, at least traditionally. “How did we know all of this? Ramleela, Krishna Leela? I can write Rama and Krishna aartis. How am I able to? Where did I get this from? They were a part of my growth. It wasn’t a big deal either. That’s how people were. I don’t know where that’s disappeared now.”

Akhtar narrated how his late aunt would make a jhanki for the kids in their home’s courtyard on Janmasthami every year. “We were dressed in yellow on Basant Panchmi. The culture of celebration existed back then. I don’t see it anymore. That’s how people were in Lucknow. It’s a unique place. It still is,” added Akhtar.

Rahman’s controversy

Rahman shared a video post on his social media on Sunday, addressing the backlash from a recent BBC Asian Network interview. He said the intentions can “sometimes be misunderstood,” but he didn’t wish to cause any pain with his words. “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,” he said in the video.

His comments come days after his interview, during which he noted how less work has been coming to him due to a power shift within the Hindi film industry in recent years and said it could also be due to the “communal thing”. “People who are not creative have the power now to decide things and this might have been a communal thing also but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers,” he said.

Rahman’s remarks invited a lot of reactions, even from members of the film industry. “The greatest living composer of the last 3 decades got attacked and abused (even by people within the industry) for stating an opinion in the politest, mildest manner, that too based on his lived-experience. And the very next day forced to issue an apology/clarification to calm the toxic mob down,” wrote National Award-winning lyricist, stand-up comedian, and filmmaker Varun Grover on X.

Also Read — AR Rahman claims people gaslighted him into believing he wasn’t doing good work anymore: ‘Two Oscars can be a burden’

Actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal reposted Rahman’s clarification on X with the caption, “We love you sir . You are our pride. (folded hands and red heart emojis).” “I like @arrahman‘s music. I think he has changed the way music is produced in India. He has also made us all proud – many times. You may not like what he says- but you must respect the man and try to understand why he said what he said. Jai Ho,” posted filmmaker Rahul Dholakia on X.