Movie News
These words were not spoken by a small-time hero or heroine, nor by an upcoming artist. They came from a globally renowned personality—an Oscar Award winner. He is none other than legendary music composer A.R. Rahman.
Rahman is a musical wizard who took Indian music to the global stage. A living legend who blended everything from traditional classical to pop, creating magic. He has been the center of revolutions in Indian music. Every song he composed stands out—whether it is soul-touching melody or high-energy fast beats.
Rahman became a name synonymous with music in India and earned worldwide recognition. Such a composer has now stated that his opportunities in Bollywood have declined. Of course, in any field, when new talent emerges, the old gradually fades—this is natural. At one time, Ilaiyaraaja ruled the South Indian film industry with unmatched dominance, and over time, his influence too declined.
However, the reason Rahman cited for fewer opportunities has surprised many. In a recent interview, Rahman said that being a Muslim is one of the reasons why he is getting fewer opportunities in Bollywood. Though Rahman was born a Hindu, due to certain beliefs and circumstances, he embraced Islam. His mother and other family members also converted along with him.
When he was a Hindu, Rahman’s name was Dileep Kumar. His father was R.K. Shekhar. In 1989, Rahman converted to Islam with his family. When his sister fell seriously ill, he prayed for her recovery. After she recovered, his faith in Islam grew stronger. The family members changed their names—Dileep Kumar became Allah Rakha Rahman.
Rahman composed music for the film Taal, whose songs became massive hits and remain popular even today among North Indian audiences. The music blended Punjabi and Hindi influences beautifully. After that film, Rahman developed a deeper interest in Punjabi music. He met Sukhwinder Singh, and together they delivered hugely popular songs like Chaiyya Chaiyya and Jai Ho.
Rahman stated that for the past eight years, his opportunities in Bollywood have reduced. While changing industry dynamics may be one reason, he believes his religion is another factor. However, many people strongly criticized this statement on social media. They argue that if religion were truly a barrier, Rahman would never have received so many opportunities in the first place.
People questioned whether he was given a chance in the Ramayana project based on religion. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said that instead of introspecting on why opportunities declined, blaming the entire film industry is unfair. He questioned what Rahman intends to prove with such remarks, especially after once being a Hindu.
Some even sarcastically remarked that “ghar wapsi” is required to get Bollywood opportunities. Renowned writer Javed Akhtar responded by stating that there is no religious discrimination in the Hindi film industry, reminding that artists like Dilip Kumar (Yusuf Khan) and Shah Rukh Khan have continued to dominate the industry.
Meanwhile, social media discussions suggest other reasons for Rahman’s reduced opportunities—lack of the earlier musical spark, demanding high remuneration, and delays in delivering songs. Several film examples are being cited to support these arguments.
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