'Bollywood gang' spreading rumours, claims AR Rahman

Amid the raging nepotism debate in Bollywood following actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s untimely demise last month, Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman has claimed that there was a “gang in the Hindi film industry” that was preventing him from getting work.

During an interview with Radio Mirchi, Rahman was asked the reason for doing less Hindi films. The musician said there had been “misunderstanding” between him and filmmakers as some people had been spreading “rumours” about him in the industry.

“See, I don’t say no to good movies, but I think there is a gang, which, due to misunderstandings, is spreading some false rumours, said Rahman.

When filmmaker Mukesh Chhabra had approached Rahman, he gave him four songs in two days. Chhabra had told Rahman that many people had asked him “not to go”. “They told me stories after stories,” Rahman quoted Chhabra as saying.

“I heard that, and I said, yeah okay, now I understand why I am doing less (work) and why good movies are not coming to me. I am doing dark movies, because there is a whole gang working against me, without them knowing that they are doing harm,” he said.

Rahman has composed music for Rajput’s last movie Dil Bechara, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on Friday (July 24). The film, directed by Chhabra, also features Sanjana Sanghi and Saif Ali Khan.

The composer further said that he was aware of people’s expectations from him but the “gang” is getting in his way. “…It is fine because I believe in destiny. I believe that everything comes from God,” said Rahman.

“So, I am taking my own movies and doing my other stuff. But all of you are welcome to come to me. You make beautiful movies, and you are welcome to come to me,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)