Music composer AR Rahman has addressed the criticism sparked by his recent comments on bias within the Hindi film industry, stressing that his remarks were misconstrued and never intended to offend. After facing sharp reactions online, the Oscar-winning musician released a video message on social media to explain his position and reaffirm his connection with India.
In the message shared on Instagram, Rahman said music has always been his medium to unite people and celebrate cultural diversity. Calling India his source of inspiration, he described the country as his home and his greatest teacher. He acknowledged that statements can sometimes be interpreted differently than intended, adding that causing hurt was never his objective.
“I feel fortunate to belong to a nation that allows artists to express themselves freely and embraces a wide range of cultures and voices,” Rahman said, underlining his pride in being Indian and his gratitude for the creative freedom he has enjoyed over the years.
Reflecting on his decades-long career, the composer highlighted several projects that have shaped his journey. He spoke about mentoring young talent through initiatives such as the Sunshine Orchestra, collaborating with emerging musicians from the Northeast, and building innovative platforms like Secret Mountain, described as India’s first multicultural virtual band. Rahman also referred to recent and ongoing work, including his association with international composer Hans Zimmer on the epic Ramayana, as milestones that have reinforced his artistic purpose.
The clarification follows an interview with BBC Asian Network in which Rahman spoke about receiving fewer opportunities in Bollywood in recent years. During that conversation, he suggested that decision-making in the industry has shifted away from creative professionals and hinted that unspoken biases may have played a role, though he said such issues were not directly expressed to him.
AR Rahman had also noted that he often learned about missed projects through intermediaries and took the situation in stride, viewing the reduced workload as time to spend with family.
By issuing the statement, the composer sought to calm the debate, reiterating his respect for the country’s cultural fabric and his intention to continue contributing to its musical landscape without division or discord.
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