AR Rahman performs Vande Mataram, Jana Mana Gana at UAE concert amidst backlash over 'communal' comment

Following the concert, several fans who were in attendance shared videos of Rahman singing Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram, moments that quickly circulated on social media.

• AR Rahman performed at Etihad Arena in UAE amid recent controversy
• He sang Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram, clips went viral on social media
• Rahman reiterated his love for India after backlash over his comments

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AR Rahman recently performed at a concert at the Etihad Arena in the UAE on January 23. The event drew particular attention amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the musician’s recent remarks, in which he described the film Chhaava as “divisive” and suggested that he may not have been receiving enough work in Bollywood for “communal” reasons.

Following the concert, several fans who were in attendance shared videos of Rahman singing Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram, moments that quickly circulated on social media.

Multiple fans posted clips from the concert showing Rahman performing Vande Mataram (Maa Tujhe Salaam) before concluding the show.

One user on X shared a video of the performance and wrote, “I was hoping AR Rahman would answer his critics tonight and he did.” The user further added, “His 2024 Abu Dhabi concert ended with Chaiyya Chaiyya and when he performed that after nearly 4 hours tonight I thought surely this is the finale. But he said wait, one last song. And then he — and the whole arena — sang Vande Mataram.”

AR Rahman started with Jana Gana Mana and ended with Vande Mataram. pic.twitter.com/YxPRHtYCsg

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— TweeterPeter (@Manjunaath) January 23, 2026

Another fan shared footage of the concert from a different angle, revealing that Rahman had opened the evening with Jana Gana Mana from Mani Ratnam’s Aayutha Ezhuthu.

According to another attendee, the four-hour-long concert also featured Rahman’s Oscar-winning song Jai Ho from Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, in addition to Vande Mataram/Maa Tujhe Salaam and Jana Gana Mana.

The controversy surrounding Rahman began after an interview with BBC Asian Network, where he was asked whether he had ever experienced prejudice in Bollywood as a Tamil composer.

Also read: AR Rahman accused of plagiarising Roja's Pudhu Vellai Mazhai from Yanni’s 1989 Track

Responding to the question, Rahman said, “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.” During the same interaction, he also criticised Chhaava for allegedly cashing in on “divisiveness.”

Following the backlash to his comments, Rahman released a video statement in which he reiterated his love for the country, saying, “India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood.”