Amidst a recent controversy surrounding A.R. Rahman's remarks about a potential "communal bias" affecting his work in the Hindi film industry, director Imtiaz Ali has stepped forward to defend the Oscar-winning composer. Ali, who has collaborated with Rahman on several films, including their latest project, Amar Singh Chamkila, dismissed the notion of communal bias within the industry, suggesting that Rahman's statements may have been misinterpreted.
The controversy arose after Rahman, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, alluded to a decline in his Hindi film work over the past eight years, attributing it to shifting power dynamics and possibly a "communal thing". He mentioned hearing "Chinese whispers" about being replaced in projects by other composers. These remarks triggered a widespread debate across social media and entertainment circles, with some critics questioning the basis of his observations.
Imtiaz Ali, speaking to India Today, stated, "No, I don't think there is a communal bias in the film industry. I've been here for a long time, and I've never seen it, and AR Rahman is one of the brightest figures that I've met in the film industry". He further added, "I do not actually believe that he made all the comments that are being attributed to him, or maybe it's been misconstrued. In fact, I know that he did not say exactly what is being perceived. Also, I don't remember a single incident where there was any communal bias or animosity".
Rahman himself has since responded to the criticism, issuing a clarification stating that his comments were misunderstood and that he never intended to cause pain. He reiterated his devotion to India and clarified the intention behind his words. Rahman's daughters, Raheema and Khatija, have also publicly voiced their support for their father amidst the controversy.
Despite the controversy, Rahman has a number of major projects lined up, including Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, Hansal Mehta's Gandhi series, Rajkumar Santoshi's Lahore 1947, and an untitled project with Diljit Dosanjh and Imtiaz Ali. He is also involved in several South Indian films. Rahman is also working on Ramayana: Part 1 with Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer.
Adding another layer to the discussion, it's worth noting that Rahman's past has included instances where he faced allegations of communal bias himself. In 2020, Tamil poet Piraisoodan claimed that Rahman's family displayed intolerance towards Hindu traditions. Rahman, born a Hindu named Dileep Kumar, converted to Islam later in life.
The debate surrounding Rahman's initial comments continues, highlighting the complexities of the film industry and the perceptions of bias within it. Imtiaz Ali's support for Rahman underscores the respect and admiration the composer holds within the industry, even as discussions about diversity and inclusion remain ongoing.
