In the wake of controversy surrounding A.R. Rahman's recent remarks about facing communalism in Bollywood, National Award-winning lyricist Varun Grover has voiced his support for the acclaimed composer. Rahman's comments, made during an interview with BBC Asian Network, alluded to a potential communal bias affecting his opportunities in the Hindi film industry over the past eight years.
Rahman, when asked about prejudice against Tamil composers in Bollywood, stated that he hadn't directly experienced it but suggested a "power shift" might be at play. He noted that "people who are not creative have the power now," adding, "It might be a communal thing also… but it is not in my face". He also criticized the film Chhaava for allegedly cashing in on divisiveness, while acknowledging the director specifically wanted him for the project.
These comments ignited a debate, with some industry figures expressing disagreement. Veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar stated he doesn't believe the industry has become communal and doubted Rahman would make such a statement. Actress Kangana Ranaut claimed Rahman refused to meet with her for her film Emergency, allegedly due to it being perceived as a "propaganda film".
Grover, however, has staunchly defended Rahman, asserting that the composer was unfairly "attacked and abused" for expressing a mild opinion based on his lived experience. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Grover shared the music video of "O Paalanhaare" from Lagaan, a Rahman classic, and criticized the backlash. He wrote that Rahman was "forced to issue an apology/clarification to calm the toxic mob down," suggesting rising divisiveness.
Rahman later released a video statement addressing the controversy, emphasizing his deep connection to India and his intention to spread positivity through music. "Music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating, and honoring our culture," Rahman stated. "India is my inspiration, my teacher, and my home... I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt".
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions from the industry. Some, like Grover, are supporting Rahman's right to express his views and highlighting the potential for bias within the industry. Others, like Javed Akhtar, dispute the notion of growing communalism in Bollywood. Paresh Rawal reacted to Rahman's clarification video by saying, "You are our pride". Mehbooba Mufti supported Rahman's "communalism" remark, calling it the "truth about today's India". Shobhaa De called Rahman's comment a "dangerous comment".
The incident underscores ongoing discussions about diversity, inclusion, and potential biases within the Indian film industry. It also highlights the challenges faced by public figures when addressing sensitive topics in an increasingly polarized environment.
