Javed Akhtar, Shaan and More React to AR Rahman’s Claim on Communal Bias

Celebrated composer AR Rahman recently made headlines for his statement on losing work in Bollywood. During an interview, he spoke about a power shift in the industry and hinted that communal bias might be the reason for him losing out on work. Now, several celebrities and political wings have reacted to this statement.

Screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar disagreed with Rahman and said that sometimes people are apprehensive in reaching out to him due to his stature and busy schedule. He told IANS, “I have never felt this way. I met people here in Mumbai. They have great respect for him. People may think that he has become very busy in the West. They may think that his shows are very big. He spends a lot of time in those shows. So, he may not be available for us.”

Singer Shaan also reacted to the music maestro’s statement and said, “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 is a personal matter; everyone has their own thinking and their own preferences. If there were any such issue, I don’t think there is any communal or minority angle in music. Music doesn’t work that way. If that were the case, then even our three superstars of the last 30 years, who you could say also belong to minorities, would not have continued to grow. That’s not how it is. Do good work, make good music, and don’t overthink these things.”

Singer Hariharan also weighed in. He said, “I really wish there were more creative people, or at least people who genuinely understand music, taking these calls. You have to think about creativity first and money later. If you only think of money when it comes to art, then who knows what the future will be.”

During an interview with BBC Asian Network, the composer opened up about losing work and attributed it to a power shift in the industry. Rahman said, “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 five composers. I said, ‘Oh, that’s great, rest for me, I can chill out with my family.”