Imtiaz Ali Stands by AR Rahman Amid Backlash: 'Misconstrued' Comments Spark Debate

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Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has come out in support of music composer AR Rahman, who faced backlash over comments perceived as 'communal.' Ali asserts that Rahman's words were likely misconstrued, emphasizing the lack of communal bias in the film industry. Ali, who has collaborated with Rahman on several projects, including the upcoming film Amar Singh Chamkila, spoke out in defense of the composer during an interview with India Today. When asked about the controversy, Ali stated, "I don't believe AR Rahman made the comments attributed to him, or they've been taken out of context. In fact, I know he didn't say what's being perceived." Ali also shared his own experiences, saying he's never witnessed communal bias in the industry. Rahman had previously clarified his intentions, stating that his love for India was never intended to cause pain. The musician emphasized his commitment to serving the country through music, citing his song Maa Tujhe Salaam/Vande Mataram as an example. The controversy began after Rahman's comments in an interview with BBC Asian Network, where he discussed potential prejudice in Bollywood as a Tamil composer. He suggested that a 'power shift' might have contributed to the issue, possibly with a 'communal' undertone. However, Rahman later apologized for causing pain and clarified his intentions. Rahman is currently working on Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, a film that also features Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer. The movie, starring Ranbir Kapoor and others, is set for a theatrical release on Diwali 2026.