Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane targets AR Rahman following his ‘communal bias’ remark: Those who insult our country shouldn't be given any platform...

Nitesh Rana speaks against A R Rahman

• AR Rahman spoke about message misinterpretation on a TV show.
• He discussed composing for the silent film Gandhi Talks and its unique challenges.
• Rahman apologized for remarks, emphasizing his aim to honor and unite with music.

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Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has once again sparked a storm with his comments targeting Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.

The controversy follows A R Rahman’s recent remarks about struggling to find work in Bollywood over the past several years due to his religion and his subsequent appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show.

Nitesh Rane said:  “If someone had made such statements against Pakistan, Karachi or Bangladesh, would any Islamic country have allowed them to live? Or would they have been killed and driven out of the country?” he asked as quoted by ABP News, drawing a comparison that stirred further debate.

The minister also questioned the wisdom of giving A R Rahman a platform on national television. “Why do we invite such people (AR Rahman) on shows like The Kapil Sharma Show? People who make anti-national statements may have the right to express their views, but those who insult our country or the Hindu community should not be given any platform,” he said.

Going further, Nitesh Rane insisted that individuals who criticise the country, the Hindu community, or the concept of a Hindu nation should face social repercussions. “We must create fear among such people,” he said. “Such individuals should be boycotted so that no one dares to speak against the country, the Hindu community or the concept of a Hindu nation in the future.”

The remarks come in response to comments Rahman made in a BBC Asian Network interview, where he said he had not received work in Hindi cinema for the past eight years.

He attributed this to a “power shift” in the industry over the last decade, saying decision-making now lies with people who are not creative, and emphasised that the issue was not communal in nature.

Also Read: AR Rahman reacts to his communal remark on The Great Indian Kapil Show: "Messages get corrupted on the way"

Over the weekend, AR Rahman appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show to promote his upcoming silent film, Gandhi Talks, directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar. He was joined by the film’s cast, including Vijay Sethupathi, Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth Jadhav.

During a light-hearted segment featuring the show’s whisper game, Rahman used the playful moment to make a serious point about communication. “This is a good exercise to see how information gets misunderstood. Different states, different cultures. The problem with the world is this, how messages get corrupted on the way,” he said, mixing humour with insight and prompting smiles from the audience and fellow guests alike.