Veteran singer Hariharan has voiced his support for A.R. Rahman's recent remarks regarding a perceived "power shift" in the Hindi music industry, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing creativity over commercial considerations. Rahman, the Oscar and Grammy-winning composer, ruffled feathers when he alluded to "communal whispers" and a shift in power dynamics as potential factors influencing his work in Bollywood.
Rahman, who began his film-scoring career in the early 1990s in the Tamil film industry, has composed and produced original scores and songs for over 175 films in various languages. He made his Bollywood debut with Mani Ratnam's Roja and delivered acclaimed music for Bombay and Dil Se... Despite his success, Rahman revealed that it took him nearly seven years to feel at home in Hindi cinema. He attributed his initial struggles to language barriers and began learning Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, and Punjabi to connect better with the industry.
In a recent interview, Rahman stated, "People who are not creative have the power now to decide things, and this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face". He recounted instances of being booked for projects, only to be replaced by multiple composers favored by music companies.
Hariharan, a celebrated ghazal and playback singer, offered a nuanced perspective on the situation. While refraining from explicitly confirming or denying the presence of communal undertones, he stressed the need for creative decision-making to take precedence over commercial interests. "Creativity has to come first and money later," Hariharan cautioned. "If you only think of money when it comes to art, then who knows what the future will be".
Hariharan and Rahman have collaborated on several chart-topping songs, including "Chanda Re", "Hai Rama", and "Tu Hi Re". Hariharan has previously stated that Rahman deeply understands his singing capabilities and knows how to stimulate him with his music.
Rahman's comments have ignited a debate within the Bollywood music fraternity. Some artists have dismissed any communal interpretations, while others have acknowledged the changing landscape of the industry. Actress Kangana Ranaut accused Rahman of refusing to work on her film Emergency, alleging prejudice and hateful behavior. Playback singer Shaan urged artists to focus on creativity and dismissed any communal interpretation.
The debate sparked by Rahman's statements highlights the complexities and evolving dynamics within the Hindi film industry. While opinions diverge on the specific causes and implications, there is a general consensus on the need to safeguard artistic integrity and prioritize creative vision.
