Rani Mukerji Pushes Back on AR Rahman’s ‘Communal’ Remark:

Responding to AR Rahman’s comments on power dynamics in the music industry, Rani says she has never faced discrimination in her 30-year career.

Actor Rani Mukerji has shared her perspective on AR Rahman’s recent remarks about alleged communal undercurrents and shifting power structures in the Indian music industry. While the Oscar-winning composer suggested that non-creative decision-makers may be influencing opportunities—and that this could have a communal angle—Rani firmly disagrees.

In an interview, during promotions for Mardaani 3, Rani said she has never experienced bias based on religion or caste in Bollywood. “Bollywood is the most secular place, and I truly believe that,” she said. “In my 30 years in the industry, I have never faced discrimination of any kind. I love this industry—it made me who I am today.”

Emphasising that talent and hard work ultimately determine success, Rani added, “Here, merit matters. Your work speaks for you, and the person the audience connects with is the one who survives and succeeds. For me, Bollywood remains one of the most amazing and secular spaces to work in.”

Addressing long-standing conversations around lobbies and power groups in the film industry, Rani made it clear that she chooses not to engage with such narratives. “I stay far away from all that. I focus only on my films, and at this stage of my life, my priority is my child and my family,” she said.

AR Rahman’s comments were made during a BBC Asian Network interview, where he spoke about his experiences as a Tamil composer working in Bollywood. He suggested that while he was never directly confronted, he often heard through “Chinese whispers” about projects slipping away due to decisions made by non-creative authorities, adding that it “might be a communal thing.”

Following criticism online, Rahman later clarified his stance in a video message, stressing that India remains his home and inspiration. “My purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music,” he said, adding that he never intended to hurt sentiments.

Rani Mukerji’s response is among the first from a mainstream Bollywood actor addressing the debate, offering a contrasting viewpoint shaped by her decades-long experience in the industry—one she continues to describe as inclusive, merit-driven, and secular.

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