US EditionJaved Akhtar Reacts to AR Rahman's 'Communal' Remark
Industry insiders cite structural changes and decision-maker dynamics as reasons for A. R. Rahman’s reduced projects over eight years, rejecting communal bias claims.
- Javed Akhtar, speaking to IANS in Mumbai, said on January 17, 2026, there is no communal element in A. R. Rahman's reduced work opportunities.
- Rahman told BBC Asian Network that he has been getting less work and said it `might be communal`, while IANS reported structural industry changes may also affect opportunities.
- Pointing to industry structure, Javed Akhtar, lyricist and screenwriter, said smaller producers may hesitate to approach A. R. Rahman, and non-musical decision-makers often decide releases.
- The statement sparked diverse reactions as singer Shaan said he faces irregular work but sees no communal angle, while Anup Jalota disputed Rahman's claim, telling IANS it's not true.
- Some artists suggested a power shift to non-musical gatekeepers affects projects, while others noted Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan have thrived for over 30 years.
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Javed Akhtar Rules Out ‘Communal Element’ in AR Rahman’s ‘Power Shift’ Comment (Watch Video) | 🎥 LatestLY
Sharing his perspective, lyricist Javed Akhtar said he has never experienced this sentiment in Mumbai and stressed that AR Rahman continues to command immense respect across the industry. 🎥 Javed Akhtar Rules Out ‘Communal Element’ in AR Rahman’s ‘Power Shift’ Comment (Watch Video).
AR Rahman’s ‘communal’ remark triggers industry debate
Mumbai: Music maestro AR Rahman has sparked wide discussion after making a candid comment about his reduced presence in Hindi film music. In an interview with BBC Asian Network, the Oscar-winning composer revealed that Bollywood work offers have slowed down for him in recent years. Explaining the reason, Rahman said that decisions are now often made by people “who are not creative,” and added that it “might have been a communal thing also”. He…
Javed Akhtar reacts to AR Rahman's 'communal' remark
AR Rahman's recent comments about fewer Bollywood opportunities and a potential communal reason have sparked industry debate. Veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar and Shobhaa De have expressed disbelief, suggesting fear of Rahman's stature, not communal bias, keeps people away. Rahman himself ...
Recently, AR Rahman attributed his lack of work in the Hindi film industry to the communal angle and changing power dynamics. Javed Akhtar has now responded to this.
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Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources lean Right
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