Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman recently ignited a nationwide debate after suggesting that he has received less work over the past eight years and hinting that communal factors may be influencing the Hindi film industry. The remarks split opinion across the country — and now filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who has previously collaborated with Rahman, has shared his perspective.
Speaking candidly on Faridoon Shahryar Podcast, Varma pushed back against the idea that religion or regional identity drives opportunities in Bollywood.
“The Industry Is Only About Making Money”
Asked directly about Rahman’s comments, Varma made it clear that he does not agree with the communal angle.
“I don’t really want to make a comment on what he said about the communal aspect, because I do not believe that,” Varma said. “I feel that the film industry is only about making money. Whoever makes money for them, they will go after that. They don’t care about your caste, religion, or where you’re from.”
According to Varma, success is the only currency that matters. If filmmakers from the South are delivering blockbusters, Bollywood will naturally gravitate toward them — not because of identity, but because of box-office pull.
SP Balasubrahmanyam Example: Hits Matter, Not Language
To underline his point, Varma cited the legendary S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
He recalled how filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya brought SPB into Hindi cinema for Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!.
Those songs became massive hits, Varma noted, which is exactly why SPB was chosen. “The moment he was not there, the other songs weren’t working,” Varma said, adding that whether an artist is Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu has never mattered — results do.
But Varma Leaves Room for Personal Experience
While disagreeing with Rahman’s broader claim, Varma also stopped short of dismissing the composer’s feelings outright.
“I can’t speak for Rahman because I don’t know the experiences that he has had,” he said. “It is possible for someone to go through something specific, which has made them talk like that.”
Varma suggested that Rahman’s remarks may stem from a personal experience rather than an industry-wide pattern, and without knowing the full context, it would be unfair to generalise.
Sona Mohapatra: ‘This Is Not Marginalisation’
Singer and independent musician Sona Mohapatra is among those who have openly disagreed with Rahman’s interpretation.
Speaking to The Indian Express, she argued that Rahman continues to be a top choice for major projects.
“He scored Chhaava. He is scoring Ramayana. He continues to be attached to some of the biggest, most high-profile projects in the country,” she said, pointing out that Rahman is also globally active, constantly travelling, and likely unavailable for many films.
“By any objective measure, that is not marginalisation,” she added.
Final Words
As the debate around AR Rahman’s comments continues, Ram Gopal Varma’s response adds a blunt, business-first perspective: Bollywood may have flaws, but success still trumps identity.
While Rahman’s feelings may be rooted in personal experiences, voices like Varma and Sona Mohapatra argue that the composer remains far from sidelined — still shaping some of India’s most ambitious cinematic projects.
For now, the controversy reflects a deeper conversation about power, perception, and opportunity in Indian cinema — one that shows no signs of cooling down anytime soon.
