AR Rahman’s “Communal” Comment Sparks Outrage, Composer Issues Apology
New Delhi | 20 January 2026: Recently, AR Rahman suggested in a video that his reduced work over the last eight years could be a “communal thing” and also stated that “Urdu is the mother of Hindi music in the 60s and 70s.” These remarks sparked widespread criticism and debate across social media and within the film industry, leading to strong criticism and heated debates. In response, the Oscar-winning composer later issued an apology, expressing regret for his words. He clarified that he never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings and that his bond with India remains deep and personal. Rahman addressed the issue through a video message shared on social media, where he explained that music has always been his way of connecting with people and celebrating culture. In the video, Rahman said, “Dear friends, music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring a culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood, but my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain and I hope my sincerity is felt.” He added that he feels fortunate to be an Indian and described the country as a place that values creative freedom and celebrates diverse voices. Rahman also reflected on his artistic journey and highlighted several projects that strengthened his purpose. “From nurturing Jala presented at the Wave Summit in front of the Honourable Prime Minister and Ruhi Noor, to collaborating with the young Naga musicians, to create a string orchestra, to mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, also building Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band and the honour of scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer, each journey has strengthened my purpose,” he said. He reaffirmed his commitment to creating music that “honours the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future.” The debate began after Rahman told BBC Network that work from the Hindi film industry had slowed for him due to “shifting power dynamics” and possibly “a communal thing,” with such reasons reaching him as “Chinese whispers.” Several Bollywood personalities, including Shobhaa De, Shaan , Javed Akhtar and many more shared their views, dismissing the idea of communal bias and emphasising that opportunities in Bollywood are primarily driven by talent, collaborations and changing industry dynamics. AR Rahman Apologises After “Communal Bias” Remark Sparks Online Outrage Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman faced strong backlash after he said that his work in Bollywood has reduced over the last eight years due to a possible “communal thing.” He also mentioned that “Urdu is the mother of Hindi music in the 60s and 70s,” which added fuel to the controversy. The comments sparked widespread criticism and debate online, prompting Rahman to respond. In a video message, he clarified that he never meant to hurt anyone and expressed deep respect for India and its culture. He said he regrets the misunderstanding and apologized for his words. Rahman said, “Dear friends, music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring a culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood, but my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain and I hope my sincerity is felt.” He also shared how his journey in music has been shaped by meaningful projects like Jala, the Sunshine Orchestra, Secret Mountain, and scoring Ramayana with Hans Zimmer. Rahman ended by saying he will continue creating music that respects the past and inspires the future. Several Bollywood celebrities also shared their views, further fuelling debate within the film industry.
