Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman has sparked a wave of political backlash after suggesting that he has received less work in recent years, possibly due to the “strengthening of power” in the Hindi film industry, which could be linked to a “social cause”.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) strongly reacted to this statement made during an interview with BBC Asian Network. Describing how he heard about the projects through “Chinese whispers”, the 59-year-old said: “People who are not creative now have the power to decide things and that might have been communal too, but not in my face.”
The Slumdog Millionaire songwriter, who hinted that it played a role in the career slowdown he’s experienced over the past eight years, said: “I’m not looking for work. I want work to come to me; the honesty of my work to make a living. I feel like if I keep looking for things, it’s a bummer.”
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy reacts
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy dismissed AR Rahman’s remarks that his religion played a role in his career, saying, “AR Rahman does not get support in the film music industry because being a Muslim is absolutely fake. The country supported him and accepted him as the number one music director in the country,” ANI quoted Reddy as saying.
Terming the statement incorrect and unfortunate, the Mines Minister said, “The people of the country have never seen Rahman through the lens of religion,” adding that it was “unfortunate that he made a statement about religion.”
VHP slams Rahman
Criticizing the composer for associating his lack of work with communal reasons, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, “AR Rahman too seems to have become the leader of a faction once led by former vice president Hamid Ansari.”
Comparing the former vice president, he added, “Hamid Ansari enjoyed benefits for 10 years and held posts in the constitution. While he retired, he withdrew India.” Criticizing AR Rahman, he said, “Instead of looking within himself, that’s why he’s not getting jobs, defaming the system and defaming the entire industry. What does he want to prove?”
Jai Ho singer Vinod Bansal said that such petty statements can be made by a politician, it is not suitable for an artiste. “He was once a Hindu himself. Why did he convert to Islam? Do ‘gharwapasi’ now. You might start getting jobs again,” ANI quoted Bansal as saying.
Kangana Ranaut is targeting AR Rahman
Launching a scathing attack on the composer, BJP MP from Himachal’s Mandi Kangana Ranaut said in an Instagram story, “Dear AR Rahman, I face so much prejudice and bias in the film industry because I support the saffron party, but I must say I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you, I desperately forgot, you even wanted to tell me to tell you. I was told that you don’t want to be part of a propaganda film.”
Kangana Ranaut called AR Rahman “biased”.(Instagram)Kangana Ranaut lashes out at AR Rahman over ‘mutual’ remark.(Instagram)
She added: “It’s ironic that all the critics called Emergency a masterpiece, even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters praising the film for its balanced and compassionate approach, but you are blinded by your hatred. I’m sorry.”