After AR Rahman found himself in hot water following his comments suggesting that he lost work due to the film industry becoming increasingly communal, and also calling Chhaava a divisive film, his children — son Ameen and daughters Khatija and Raheema — have come out in his defence. They shared old videos of Rahman representing India on international stages and also posted a clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding the composer.
Rahman’s son Ameen shared a video on his Instagram story showing Rahman waving at fans at a stadium, with his track Jai Ho playing in the background. He also shared clips of Rahman clicking selfies with a sea of fans during a stadium concert. Other photos showed Rahman posing with President Droupadi Murmu. Another video featured Rahman singing Vande Mataram alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. This was followed by a clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising Rahman while addressing a crowd. He can be heard saying, “Be it AR Rahman’s music or Rajamouli’s storytelling, it has become a voice of Indian culture and won the hearts of crores of people worldwide.”
Another video shared by Ameen showed Rahman receiving the National Award from the President for Best Music Director (Background Music) for his work on the Tamil film Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1. This was followed by a clip of Rahman sharing his experience at the Oscars. AR Rahman won the Oscar for Original Score for Slumdog Millionaire in 2009.
Ameen’s sister Khatija reshared all the videos and pictures highlighting Rahman’s achievements. Meanwhile, Rahman’s other daughter Raheema lashed out at trolls and reshared a note that read, “They don’t have time to read the Bhagavad Gita, the Qur’an or the Bible – the sacred words that teach love, peace, discipline, and truth. But they have all the time in the world to argue, mock, provoke, abuse, and disrespect each other.”
The note further stated, “This isn’t religion. This is what blind society, half-baked education, toxic politics, and broken parenting have created – a generation more loyal to hate than to humanity.” Another note read, “Bhagvat Gita and Quran never fight in library. But, ironically those who fight over them are those who never went to library.”
AR Rahman’s daughter Raheema came out in his defence.
What did Rahman say?
During an interview with BBC Asia Network, Rahman was asked if he feels discriminated against in Bollywood. Responding to the question, he said, “Maybe I never get to know of this, maybe it was concealed but I didn’t feel any of this. Maybe in the past eight years 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. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you but the music company went ahead and hired their 5 composers. I say good, I have more time to chill with my family. I am not in search for work. I don’t want to go in search for work. I want work to come to me; my sincerity to earn work. Whatever I deserve, I get.”
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Rahman also spoke about composing music for the film Chhaava and admitted that it was a divisive film. He said, ““It is a divisive film. I think it cashed in on divisiveness, but I think the core of it is to show bravery. I had asked the director, ‘Why did he need me for this film?’ but he said that we need only you for this. It is a enjoyable film, but definitely people are smarter than that. Do you think people are going to get influenced by movies? They have something called internal conscience, which knows what the truth is, and what manipulation is.”
He added, “Chhaava is the most celebrated character. It is like the blood of every Maratha. Once the film finishes, you see the girl saying the beautiful poetry. It’s very moving. I’m so honoured to have scored that full movie, which has the pulse and soul of every Maratha.”
After his comments triggered backlash, Rahman issued a video clarification in which he once again called India his inspiration and reiterated his commitment to music that “honours the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future.”
