Actress calls composer “prejudiced” amid Bollywood bias row
January 18, 2026: Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut has launched a sharp attack on Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, calling him “prejudiced and hateful” amid the ongoing controversy over his remarks about declining work opportunities in Bollywood. Taking to Instagram, Ranaut claimed Rahman refused to meet her or collaborate on the music for her directorial film Emergency, allegedly labelling it a “propaganda film.” She said she faced bias in the industry due to her political views but was surprised by Rahman’s alleged refusal to even hear the film’s narration.
Ranaut further asserted that Emergency received appreciation from critics and opposition leaders alike for its “balanced and compassionate” portrayal, accusing Rahman of being “blinded by hate.” Her comments came days after Rahman, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, said that work from the Hindi film industry had slowed for him over the past few years due to changing power dynamics, remarks that sparked widespread political and cultural debate.
Adding to the reactions, veteran author and columnist Shobhaa De criticised Rahman’s statements at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026, calling them “very dangerous.” She said Bollywood has historically been free of communal bias and driven purely by talent, stressing that religion has never determined opportunity in the film industry. Rahman has so far not responded to the criticism from Ranaut, De, or other public figures.