New Delhi: After facing sustained backlash and scrutiny online for his comments in a recent BBC interview, AR Rahman has now shared his perspective. The Oscar-winning musician, in a video message on social media, said “India is my inspiration, my teacher, and my home. I understand that sometimes intentions are 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.”
In the BBC interview, Rahman said that work from the Hindi film industry has slowed for him in the last eight years.
“It might be a communal thing also, but it is not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers,” said Rahman in his interview with host Haroon Rashid.
Soon, industry stalwarts from Javed Akhtar and Hariharan to Shaan shared their views on the matter. Akhtar denied the existence of communal mindset within Bollywood and attributed the possible lack of work to how Rahman’s schedule is received by a lot of people.
Shaan used the example of the three Khans—Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir to make a point that if the industry was communal, they wouldn’t have lasted 30 years in the industry.
“Do good work, make good music, and don’t overthink these things,” was Shaan’s advice to Rahman.
Hariharan acknowledged the changes that are happening in Bollywood. The singer who has collaborated with Rahman in films like Roja (1992) and Bombay (1995) mentioned that the topic is a grey area.
“I really wish there were more creative people, or at least people who genuinely understand music, taking these calls. You have to think about creativity first and money later. If you only think of money when it comes to art, then who knows what the future will be,” said the singer.
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Rahman’s clarification
Rahman last composed music for the Anand L Rai directorial Tere Ishk Mein, which was a commercial blockbuster. He was also the music director for Chhava, which went on to become one of the highest earning films of 2025.
“I feel blessed to be Indian which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of speech and celebrates multicultural voices,” said Rahman.
He then went on to speak about his recent work, mentioning JHALAA’s performance at the Waves Summit in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as the launch of the all-women band Rooh-e Nor, which also features his daughter.
Rahman also pointed to other engagements, from mentoring young Naga musicians to creating a string orchestra, the Sunshine Orchestra, and building Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band. He also mentioned his upcoming film Ramayana, for which he will collaborate with two-time Oscar-winning German composer Hans Zimmer.
“I remain grateful to this nation and committed to music that honors the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future. Jai Hind,” said Rahman.
The video ended with a clip of a live performance of Rahman’s Vande Mataram, which came out in 1997, and the crowd singing with him.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)