RGV Dismisses AR Rahman’s Communal Bias Claims in Film Industry

Indian filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has strongly rejected composer AR Rahman’s recent claims that the Hindi film industry is growing increasingly communal. Speaking on a podcast, Varma argued that cinema operates solely on the basis of commercial viability and box office success, regardless of an artist’s caste, religion, or background. He emphasized that filmmakers and producers prioritize whoever generates profit for them, dismissing the notion of systemic bias based on identity.

Money Matters More Than Identity

Varma reinforced his stance by highlighting how financial success drives industry decisions. He cited the example of late singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, whose involvement in blockbuster films like Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hai Koun demonstrated that hit songs determine opportunities, not the artist’s origin or religion. According to Varma, whether a South Indian director or a Telugu or Tamil musician succeeds depends entirely on whether their work resonates with audiences and performs well at the box office.

Respecting Personal Experiences While Dismissing Systemic Bias

However, Varma acknowledged that while he doesn’t believe communal bias is systemic, he cannot speak to Rahman’s personal experiences. He stated that individual incidents might have occurred for specific people, but this doesn’t reflect a general industry-wide pattern. Meanwhile, singer Sona Mohapatra also disagreed with Rahman’s assessment, pointing out that he continues working on prestigious projects like Chhaava and Ramayana, which contradicts claims of marginalization in the industry.