‘India is my inspiration, my home...’: AR Rahman strikes a different chord after Bollywood ‘communal’ remark, watch

Oscar-winning music maestro AR Rahman recently found himself at the centre of a storm after referring to Bollywood as “communal” during an interview. The comment sparked sharp reactions online and drew responses from prominent voices in the industry, including Javed Akhtar, Kangana Ranaut and Shobha Dee. As the debate gathered momentum, Rahman stepped forward to clarify his intent and reaffirm his enduring connection with India.

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A Musical Reply to the Noise

Amid rising discussions around bias and power structures in the Hindi film industry, Rahman chose music as his medium of response. He released a heartfelt video message that highlighted his belief in harmony and inclusion, accompanied by stirring visuals of Maa Tujhe Salaam/Vande Mataram resonating across a cricket stadium, an image that powerfully reflected his cultural imprint.

“India Is My Inspiration, My Teacher and My Home”

Speaking directly to audiences, Rahman opened up about how music has always guided his worldview and values.

He said, “Music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring our culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be 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.” 

Championing India’s Multicultural Soul

Rahman also revisited several milestones that underscore his commitment to India’s diversity. From nurturing Jhalaa at the WAVES summit and presenting Rooh-e-Noor, to collaborating with young Naga musicians, his work has consistently spotlighted varied voices. He spoke about building a string orchestra, mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra, creating Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band, and composing the score for Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer.

Reflecting on these creative journeys, he added, “I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices. From nurturing Jhalaa, presented at the WAVES summit in front of the honourable Prime Minister and Rooh-e-Noor, to collaborating with the young Naga musicians, to creating a string orchestra, to mentoring the Sunshine orchestra, also building Secret Mountain, India’s first multicultural virtual band and the honour of scoring Ramayana, alongside Hans Zimmer. Each journey has strengthened my purpose.”

A Note of Gratitude

As his message drew to a close, Rahman once again expressed appreciation for the country that shaped his artistry, saying, “I remain grateful to this nation and committed to music that honours the past,” while a stadium full of voices sang along to Maa Tujhe Salaam/Vande Mataram.

What Sparked the Debate 

The controversy originated from AR Rahman’s interview with BBC Asian Network, where he was asked about his experiences as a Tamil composer in Bollywood. 

Responding to questions on prejudice, he remarked, “Maybe I never got to know of this, maybe it was concealed by God, but I didn’t feel any of this. The past eight years, maybe, because a power shift has happened, and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also but it is not in my face.”

Must Read: AR Rahman labels Chhaava ‘divisive’; netizens term his remark ‘shocking’

He also took a critical view of Chhaava, describing it as a project that feeds on divisiveness, though he did not expand further. The remarks triggered a wide spectrum of reactions, placing Rahman at the heart of a broader conversation about creativity, authority and inclusivity within Bollywood.