Oscar-winning and globally renowned composer AR Rahman has recently been in the spotlight due to a controversial statement. His remarks regarding alleged 'communal' bias in the Hindi film industry sparked considerable debate. Now, Rahman himself has come forward to clarify the situation.
AR Rahman officially took to Instagram to share a video message, clarifying that his words should not be misinterpreted, as he never intended to hurt anyone's feelings or demean anyone.
What did AR Rahman say about the controversy?
In the video, AR Rahman stated, 'Dear friends, music has always been my way to connect with, celebrate, and respect culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher, and my home.'
Further clarifying his stance, Rahman acknowledged that his statements might have been misunderstood. He said, 'I understand that intentions can sometimes be misconstrued, but my goal has always been to uplift, honor, and serve through music. I have never wished to harm anyone, and I hope my sincerity is felt.'
He also mentioned feeling privileged to work in an environment that values diversity and creative freedom and shared that being Indian has allowed him to connect with a multitude of multicultural voices. Reflecting on his artistic journey, Rahman discussed various projects.
In conclusion, Rahman expressed, 'From embellishing Jhala and Ruh-E-Noor presented at the Wave Summit before the Honorable Prime Minister, to collaborating with young Naga musicians to create a string orchestra, to mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, to forming India's first multicultural virtual band Secret Mountain, and to the honor of scoring for Ramayana with Hans Zimmer, each journey has fortified my mission.'
'To me, music is dedicated to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.'
What did AR Rahman say? In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman mentioned, 'Perhaps there's been a shift in power over the last 8 years and those who aren't creative are making decisions. There could be communal whispers, although nothing's been said to me directly. Yes, sometimes I hear whispers. Like, you were booked, but another music company funded the film and brought their own musician. I say, okay, I'll take it easy.'
