Javed Akhtar says ‘no communal element’ in AR Rahman not getting work in Bollywood; Shaan says ‘3 superstars also belong to minority communities’

Mumbai: On singer A. R. Rahman statement, lyricist Javed Akhtar says, “…Rahman is such a great personality that small producers may even feel hesitant to approach him..” pic.twitter.com/qekQi1sGBT

— IANS (@ians_india) January 16, 2026

Another prominent music composer, Shankar Mahadevan, also rather diplomatically weighed in, highlighting structural issues in the industry. He told IANS, “I would only say that the person who composes a song and the person who decides whether it will be released in the market are two different people. Often, those making the decisions are not musical professionals, which creates discrepancies. So sometimes, what we feel should come out doesn’t, because someone else decides for us.”

Singer Shaan shared his own experience, pointing out that even he is facing irregular work. He told IANS, “I have sung a lot over the years, yet sometimes I don’t get work. But I don’t think too much about it, because I don’t see it as something personal. Everyone has their own preferences, and it’s not in our hands how much work we get. We should do the work we get to the best of our ability. And whatever work Rahman saab takes on, he always adds his unique signature. He is a brilliant composer.”

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On whether communal bias plays a role in the industry, Shaan added, “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.” Shaan was presumably talking about Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan who have continued to be the biggest movie stars in India for over 30 years.

Singer Anup Jalota echoed Shaan’s sentiments, telling IANS, “This is absolutely not true. Rahman has accomplished the work of 25 years in just five. People have enormous respect for him, love him, and his work.”

Mumbai, Maharashtra: On singer A. R. Rahman’s statement, Bollywood singer Shaan says, “When it comes to not getting work, I am standing right here in front of you. I have sung so much over the years, yet even I don’t get work at times. But I don’t take it personally, because it… pic.twitter.com/rR6xyjnUHo

— IANS (@ians_india) January 17, 2026

To those unaware, Rahman had told BBC Asian Network that while he has not directly experienced discrimination, structural changes in the industry may have affected opportunities. He 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.”