Mithoon defends AR Rahman, says composer ‘has every right’ to express his views amid communal remark row

ar rahman and mithoon

• Mithoon supports AR Rahman's right to speak on communal bias in Bollywood
• Rahman clarifies he meant no harm and aims to uplift through music
• Industry figures are divided over Rahman's comments and their interpretation

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Music composer Mithoon has publicly stood by Oscar-winning musician A.R. Rahman amid a growing controversy over remarks the latter made about “communal” bias in the Hindi film industry, asserting that Rahman “has every right” to express what he felt.

The controversy erupted after Rahman’s comments about facing ‘communal bias’ in a recent interview triggered widespread debate and online backlash.

The row began when Rahman was asked in an interview with the BBC Asian Network about his experience in Bollywood over the past eight years. He said that work for him had slowed in recent times and attributed it in part to shifts in industry power dynamics “People who are not creative have the power now,” he remarked, adding that “this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face.”

Critics interpreted this as claiming discrimination based on religion, prompting a wave of reactions across social media and entertainment circles.

In an interview with Mid-Day, Mithoon revealed that he grown up looking up to AR Rahman. The music composer added that the musician threw every 'textbook rule' yet created a powerful impact in the industry. "It’s been over three decades, and the country continues to love him. He has every right to say what he felt. All I can say, as his contemporary, is that this country will continue to love him. There can be no other AR Rahman," said Mithoon.

Rahman himself responded to the uproar with a video statement on social media, in which he emphasised that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments and described India as his inspiration and home. He reiterated that his purpose has always been to uplift and honour through music, not to create division, and expressed hope that his sincerity would be understood.

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

The debate has drawn a range of responses from industry figures and commentators. Some have supported Rahman’s right to speak openly about his experiences, while others have challenged the interpretation or dismissed the idea of systemic bias within Bollywood. But Mithoon’s remarks, coming from a fellow composer, lend a notable voice of solidarity at a moment when Rahman’s intention and legacy are being closely scrutinised.