New Delhi, January 18, 2026: Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has triggered a political and public debate after attributing the slowdown in his Bollywood work over the past eight years to a possible “communal thing” and a shift in industry power dynamics. The remarks, made during a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, have drawn sharp reactions from political parties and Hindutva groups, questioning his claim and criticizing the composer for linking professional challenges to religion.

Rahman Speaks on Career Changes

In the interview, Rahman, 59, explained that while he is not actively seeking projects, he has noticed fewer offers coming his way over the past eight years. He described a “power shift” within the Hindi film industry, where decision-making had moved into the hands of individuals he considered “not creative.” He added, “This might have been a communal thing also but not in my face,” referring to the possibility that religious bias may have influenced opportunities indirectly.

He detailed how he often learned about projects through informal channels, describing it as “Chinese whispers” — hearing that he had been booked for a project, only to find the music company had hired multiple other composers instead. Rahman said, “I said, ‘Oh, that’s great, rest for me, I can chill out with my family.’”

When asked about potential prejudice when he entered Bollywood in the 1990s, Rahman said he did not experience discrimination then, though he acknowledged that over the last eight years, the “power shift” may have affected him. He emphasized that he values the sincerity and quality of his work and prefers that opportunities come to him naturally rather than pursuing them aggressively.

BJP and Union Minister Respond

The composer’s remarks prompted immediate reactions from political leaders. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy called Rahman’s claim “absolutely false” and expressed disappointment over the suggestion that his religion influenced professional opportunities. “AR Rahman is the number one music director in the country and has been widely respected across communities. People have never seen him through the lens of religion,” Reddy said, urging that the matter not be politicized.

VHP Criticism

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also weighed in, with national spokesperson Vinod Bansal questioning Rahman’s comments and interpreting them as an attack on the industry. Bansal remarked, “AR Rahman was adored by all Indians and Hindu people. Instead of looking within, he is badmouthing the system and defaming the entire industry. What does he want to prove?”

Bansal’s statement went further, invoking Rahman’s religious background. He asked why Rahman converted to Islam and sarcastically suggested “gharwapasi” (return to Hinduism) as a way to regain work, while dismissing the composer’s remarks as “petty” and unsuitable for an artist.

The Composer’s Perspective

Rahman clarified in the interview that he never actively chases work, preferring projects to find him. “I’m not in search of work. I want work to come to me; the sincerity of my work to earn things,” he said. He highlighted his achievements as the first South Indian composer to establish and sustain a career in Bollywood, while pointing out the changes in the industry that have impacted his assignments in recent years.

He acknowledged that while he did not experience bias personally earlier in his career, he has noticed a change in the past eight years due to the “power shift,” though he stressed this was not overtly directed at him. Rahman’s comments suggest that professional and structural changes in the industry, intertwined with potential indirect biases, could have affected opportunities for artists across the board.

Public Debate and Backlash

The remarks have sparked a larger conversation about religion, representation, and opportunity in Bollywood, with social media divided on the issue. Some fans and cultural commentators have supported Rahman’s claim, pointing to subtle forms of bias in the industry, while others have criticized him for attributing career dynamics to religion.

Political leaders and organizations like the BJP and VHP have seized the opportunity to frame the matter as a communal issue, asserting that Rahman’s career has been widely celebrated and supported across communities and that his claims undermine the broader Indian entertainment industry.

Broader Context

Rahman has maintained a longstanding reputation for excellence and innovation in music, with global recognition, including two Academy Awards, multiple Grammy nominations, and a dedicated fan base across India and abroad. The controversy sheds light on the changing landscape of Bollywood, where creative decision-making is often influenced by emerging power dynamics and production politics, though allegations of communal bias are rare in public discourse.

As the debate continues, Rahman has emphasized the integrity of his work and his preference for opportunities to arrive organically, rather than aggressively seeking them. The remarks, while controversial, highlight underlying tensions regarding inclusivity and equity in India’s entertainment industry.