- By Swati Singh
- Sat, 24 Jan 2026 06:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Music composer AR Rahman recently sparked backlash for his remarks about an alleged 'communal' atmosphere in Bollywood and his claim that it has affected the amount of work he has received in recent years. Responding to the comments, actor Ranvir Shorey said that struggles are part of every artist’s journey in the industry and that placing the blame solely on one form of bias does little to help anyone progress in their career.
Speaking to news agency ANI, AR Rahman said, "I don't think so. I've actually heard that he charges a lot. I can't comment on somebody else's life. I don't know why he feels that way. I'm sure he has his reasons."
He further added, "But when it comes to bias, I have faced biases that are not communal in nature, but political and feudal. Your career is shaped by how you deal with those biases. If I say there are biases against me and that's why I haven't gotten work, that's everyone's struggle. It's about how you build your career despite those biases. If I say that, I'll be told I'm whining. I'm sure there are biases, but I don't think they are all of one kind."
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In an interview with BBC Asian Network, AR Rahman was asked whether he had ever experienced prejudice in Bollywood as a Tamil composer. He said he may not have been aware of it earlier, adding that if such biases existed, they were perhaps 'concealed by God'. However, reflecting on the past eight years, Rahman suggested that a shift in power dynamics within the industry may have played a role, noting that people he considers “non-creative” now hold influence. He added that it could also be a communal issue, though he stressed that it was never something he faced directly.
During the conversation, Rahman also criticised Chhaava, accusing it of capitalising on divisiveness. Following the backlash, Rahman shared a video statement on Sunday in which he reaffirmed his love for the country and clarified his position.