Mithoon Defends AR Rahman Amid ‘Communal’ Comment Controversy, Says ‘He Has Every Right To Say What He Felt’

Bollywood composer Mithoon has come out in support of music maestro AR Rahman, defending the Oscar-winner’s right to express his personal views following a wave of criticism. The controversy stems from Rahman's recent comments regarding the shifting landscape of the Hindi film industry, which some have labelled as communal in nature. Ram Gopal Varma Calls AR Rahman ‘Nicest Human Being’ After Claiming He Didn’t Compose ‘Jai Ho’ Song; Filmmaker Says He Was ‘Misquoted’ (View Post).

Mithoon emphasised that Rahman’s three-decade-long legacy and his profound impact on Indian music grant him the authority to voice his opinions without being subjected to unfair backlash.

Mithoon Defends AR Rahman

Speaking on the matter, Mithoon described Rahman as a trailblazer who redefined the industry's standards. He noted that despite the current friction, the nation’s fundamental admiration for the composer remains unchanged.

In an interview with Mid-Day, Mithoon stated, "I have grown up looking up to Rahman sir. He was the man who threw every textbook rule out of the window, yet created a powerful impact in our 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."

What did AR Rahman Say?

The debate began following Rahman’s interview with the BBC Asian Network. When asked about the changing dynamics of Bollywood and why he has taken on fewer projects in recent years, Rahman suggested there had been a "power shift" involving non-creative decision-makers.

He hinted that certain shifts in the industry might have "communal" undercurrents, though he clarified that he had never faced such bias directly. Rahman described the situation as "Chinese whispers," where he would hear indirectly that projects originally intended for him were being reassigned to multiple other composers.

AR Rahman's Clarification

Rahman’s comments sparked a polarised reaction within the film fraternity. While veterans like Javed Akhtar suggested that any perceived lack of work might be due to Rahman’s towering stature, making him seem unapproachable rather than religious bias, the composer himself eventually moved to calm the waters. Amid AR Rahman’s Communal Remark Controversy, His Son AR Ameen Calls Him ‘Legend for Life’ (View Post).

In a follow-up video message, Rahman reaffirmed his love for India, calling it his "inspiration and home." He stated that his intention was never to cause pain and emphasised that his purpose has always been to "uplift, honour, and serve through music," while expressing gratitude for the country’s multicultural ethos.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 06:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).