Veteran actor and politician Paresh Rawal has voiced his support for Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman amidst a controversy sparked by Rahman's recent remarks about the Bollywood industry. Rahman, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, suggested that he had faced "communal discrimination" in Bollywood over the past eight years, attributing it to a "power shift" where "people who are not creative have the power now to decide things". He also criticized the film Chhaava for allegedly capitalizing on divisiveness.
Rahman's comments ignited a debate, with some figures within the industry expressing disagreement. Following the backlash, Rahman issued a clarification on social media, reaffirming his deep love and affection for India, emphasizing the country's central role in his life and creative journey, and stressing that he "never meant to cause pain".
In response to the controversy and Rahman's subsequent clarification, Paresh Rawal took to social media to express his support. Rawal reshared a video of Rahman and wrote, "We love you, sir. You are our pride," accompanied by folded hands and heart emojis. Rawal's message was a direct amplification of a post by an AR Rahman fan page on X (formerly Twitter) which stated, "A.R.Rahman speaks out & responds with clarity".
Rawal's support for Rahman has triggered mixed reactions online. Some users questioned the sincerity of Rawal's statement, with some wondering if it was sarcasm. Others, however, viewed Rawal's message as a genuine expression of admiration for the composer. Some social media users applauded Rawal for speaking out in support of Rahman, while others criticized him, suggesting that he was only expressing a personal opinion. One user commented, “Speak for yourself, Paresh,”.
Rahman's initial comments stemmed from a question about his experiences as a Tamil composer in Bollywood. He clarified that he did not experience any prejudice early in his career but suggested a potential shift in recent years. He stated, "Maybe I never got to know of this, maybe it was concealed by God, but I didn't feel any of this". He further elaborated, "The past eight years, maybe, 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".
Rawal's public backing of Rahman arrives at a time when the music composer is facing scrutiny from certain members of the Indian entertainment industry. The specific details of the criticism and the identities of the celebrities involved remain somewhat vague, but it appears Rahman's comments touched upon sensitive issues related to the industry's dynamics. Rahman's clarification message following the initial interview reinforced his commitment to using music as a tool for cultural unity and highlighted his belief in freedom of expression and the celebration of multicultural voices within India.
