Overview
- Amaal Mallik said Rahman’s concern about non-creative gatekeepers is largely correct, arguing labels now prefer their own artists and drive decisions, but he disagreed that bias is communal.
- Rani Mukerji countered the communal reading, calling Bollywood “the most secular place” and saying she has not seen caste or religious discrimination in her 30-year career.
- Baba Azmi also pushed back on claims of deepening polarization, describing any such trend as limited and citing Lagaan to argue audiences value craft over identity.
- Rahman’s BBC Asian Network interview had linked fewer recent Hindi projects to a power shift toward non-creatives, adding it “might be a communal thing,” and mentioning projects redirected to label-backed composers.
- Following criticism, Rahman posted a video clarification stressing he never intended hurt and affirming his commitment to inclusive work, as the conversation moved toward structural issues like groupism and label dominance.