Rabbi Shergill Backs AR Rahman's Claim of Communal Bias in Film Industry

Singer-songwriter Rabbi Shergill has backed music composer AR Rahman's recent remarks suggesting that communal bias may exist within India's entertainment industry, saying such concerns cannot be easily dismissed in the current social and political climate. Speaking during an appearance on The Life Savers Show, Shergill said he was unaware of the exact context in which Rahman made the remarks but believed it was difficult to ignore the possibility of a communal angle influencing parts of the industry.

Responding to Rahman's comments, Shergill said, "How can you deny the communal angle?" He added that while he could not specifically comment on the functioning of the music industry because he does not live in Mumbai or interact regularly with its professionals, he believes political influences have become more visible in sections of the film industry. According to Shergill, some film financing in recent years has supported projects that many critics describe as propaganda-driven cinema.

As examples, Shergill referred to films such as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, both of which generated significant commercial success while also attracting debate over their political messaging and portrayal of sensitive issues. He said that if Rahman had raised concerns about communal bias, his remarks deserved to be taken seriously. Shergill also argued that ideological polarisation is not limited to India but reflects a broader global trend affecting politics, culture and the creative industries.

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Expanding on his views, Shergill said many countries have witnessed a shift in political ideology over the past several decades. He noted that left-leaning politics had greater influence globally during the 1960s, while right-leaning governments and ideologies have become more prominent in many parts of the world today. Referring to neighbouring countries including Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka, he said ideological politics has increasingly shaped public discourse across the region.

Shergill has also previously expressed a different perspective on AR Rahman's contribution to Hindi film music. In an earlier interview, he praised Rahman as a musical genius but argued that the composer's arrival in Hindi cinema coincided with a period in which lyrics became less central than musical composition. Shergill said this was not Rahman's fault, adding that the composer is more naturally connected to Tamil music, where he believes Rahman's work better reflects his artistic strengths.

AR Rahman made the original remarks during an interview with the BBC when asked whether he had experienced prejudice in the Hindi film industry. Rahman said he had not personally faced discrimination directly but suggested that changes in the industry's power structure over the past several years may have influenced opportunities. He said he had heard through others that projects initially intended for him were later assigned to multiple composers, adding that he preferred to let work come to him naturally rather than actively seek assignments.

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