New Delhi, March 8: Renowned composer A. R. Rahman’s recent remarks have ignited a fresh debate in the Film Industry. In an interview, Rahman expressed that he is receiving fewer work offers in Bollywood compared to before, suggesting that communal biases may play a role in this shift. His comments have drawn responses from fellow musician Salim Merchant.
Merchant stated that if Rahman is being offered a project like ‘Ramayana’, it indicates that there is no communal discrimination against him. Speaking to reporters, Merchant said, “I have great respect for A. R. Rahman. His perspective cannot be entirely dismissed, as every artist has unique experiences. Rahman may have faced situations in his career that led him to feel this way, but I believe it is unfair to view the entire film industry through a single lens. This is my personal opinion, and not everyone may agree.”
To illustrate his point, Merchant provided an example: “If A. R. Rahman is getting the opportunity to compose music for ‘Ramayana’, which is considered one of the greatest films in Indian Cinema history, it is hard to believe that he is facing any form of communal bias. ‘Ramayana’ is based on a Hindu mythological narrative, and if he has been chosen for this film, it clearly shows that his work and talent are respected in the industry. This is merely his viewpoint.”
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PK/VC