Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman recently stirred discussions with his remarks about his experiences in the Hindi film industry. He noted a decline in his work over the past eight years, suggesting that shifting power dynamics may have played a role and hinting at a possible communal bias. Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, however, has strongly dismissed this notion.
In an interview with IANS, Akhtar expressed that he has never sensed any bias in Mumbai and emphasized the high regard in which Rahman is held across the industry. “I have never felt this way. People here in Mumbai respect him greatly,” Akhtar stated.
He offered an alternative perspective, suggesting that many might perceive Rahman’s reduced availability as a result of his busy international schedule, which includes major shows that require a significant time commitment. “People might think he’s become too busy in the West with his large-scale shows, which takes up a lot of his time,” he added.
Akhtar also mentioned that Rahman’s esteemed status might intimidate smaller producers, making them hesitant to approach him. “Rahman is such a big figure that even small producers might feel apprehensive about reaching out to him,” he said.
He firmly rejected the idea of any communal aspect influencing Rahman’s situation, assuring that the composer is approachable and would respond if contacted. “If you reach out to him, he will definitely respond. I don’t think there’s any communal element at play here,” Akhtar concluded.
In a prior interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman described how he often receives news indirectly, labeling it as “Chinese whispers.” He remarked, “People who aren’t creative have the power now to make decisions, and this might have been a communal issue, but not directly to my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company ended up hiring other composers. I thought, ‘Oh, that’s great; I can relax with my family.'”