Author Taslima Nasreen says AR Rahman is ‘too rich and famous’ to face discrimination amid communal controversy: ‘Difficulties happen to poor people like me’

Taslima Nasreen reacts to AR Rahman comment

• Taslima Nasreen says AR Rahman is too rich and famous to face discrimination
• Nasreen contrasts her struggles with Rahman's privileged status.
• AR Rahman clarifies his comments, saying he never intended to cause pain

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Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen is the latest celebrity to share her thoughts on music director AR Rahman's ‘communal’ comment. The multi-award-winning musician claimed in a recent interview that his work in the Hindi film industry has slowed down recently, attributing this to "shifting power dynamics" in Bollywood, which may have been "a communal thing".

Several celebrities have since commented on AR Rahman's remarks, including Javed Akhtar, Leslie Lewis, and Hariharan.

The singer also received brutal backlash on social media.

However, Taslima Nasreen has recently taken to her X (formerly Twitter) and admitted that AR Rahman is way too "rich and famous" to be discriminated against in the film industry. She also said that it doesn't suit the composer to be "pitied".

She started her lengthy tweet with, “A. R. Rahman is a Muslim and is extraordinarily famous in India. His remuneration, as far as I have heard, is higher than that of all other artists. He is probably the richest musician. He is complaining that he is not given work in Bollywood because he is a Muslim. Shah Rukh Khan is still the Badshah of Bollywood; Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi—all of them are superstars.”

A. R. Rahman is a Muslim and is extraordinarily famous in India. His remuneration, as far as I have heard, is higher than that of all other artists. He is probably the richest musician. He is complaining that he is not given work in Bollywood because he is a Muslim. Shah Rukh…

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) January 18, 2026

Taslima Nasreen continued, “The famous and the rich never face difficulties anywhere. No matter what religion they belong to, what caste, or what community. Difficulties happen to poor people like me. Even though I am a strict atheist, because of my name I am assumed to be a Muslim. Those who are anti-Muslim do not care whether one is an atheist or a believer. No one wants to rent me an apartment.”

The author recalled her personal experience and added, “When I go to a hospital, they deceive me and cut off my leg. I get beaten even for being an atheist in Hyderabad; I cannot set foot in Aurangabad; I am pushed out of West Bengal. These problems do not even come within the farthest boundaries of A. R. Rahman’s life or of Muslim stars in Bollywood. I am not a citizen.”

“Between a citizen and a resident, except for the right to vote, all other rights are the same—at least the law says so. Many citizens do not live in India out of love; I live here because I love it. I never deviate from principles and ideals.”

Also Read: Javed Akhtar's old statements resurface online amid the AR Rahman controversy; 'I can write Rama and Krishna aartis'

Taslima Nasreen further added, “After tearing apart the hollow bones and marrow of Islam, I am living a sentence of exile, yet people still say to me, “You people celebrate Eid by sighting the moon,” or “polygamy is practiced among you.” The common people of this country hardly know anything about atheism, or about the humanism that stands upon atheism.”

“There is nothing I can really do. The men and women of this land are my own people. The culture of this soil is my culture too. How far can I ngo if I leave it behind? A. R. Rahman is revered by Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, atheists, and believers alike. It does not suit him to be pitied,” she concluded.

Also Read: From Javed Akhtar to Manoj Tiwari, celebs reacted strongly to AR Rahman’s 'Communal' bias remark

Following the backlash, AR Rahman issued an official statement and said he "never wished to cause pain" in response to the controversy after much discussion on social media.

AR Rahman claimed in a video statement that music has always been his means of connecting, honouring, and celebrating a culture after his "communal" remarks started making the rounds on social media.

Also Read: AR Rahman clarifies remarks on Bollywood, says his comments were misunderstood

He continued by saying that India was his home, inspiration, and teacher. He also said that although his intentions could occasionally be misinterpreted, his goal has always been to use music to inspire, honour, and serve. He also said that he hoped his sincerity was understood and that he had never wanted to hurt anyone.

The composer expressed his gratitude for being Indian, saying that the nation provides him with an environment that respects artistic freedom and honours a variety of voices.