Shilpa Rao REACTS To AR Rahman’s ‘Communal Thing’ Remark; Says, “You Have To Abstain From Being Gullible”

At a time when the Hindi film music industry faces intense debate and shifting dynamics. Conversations around artistic identity and industry narratives have taken centre stage. Recent developments, including reports about Arijit Singh stepping back from playback singing and remarks by A. R. Rahman about reduced opportunities, have sparked wider discussions. Against this backdrop, National Award-winning singer Shilpa Rao offered a grounded perspective on staying authentic in an evolving and often unpredictable industry.

Shilpa Rao REACTS To AR Rahman’s ‘Communal Thing’ Remark

Speaking at the Expresso by SCREEN, Shilpa Rao addressed how artists can navigate noise and narratives. She stressed the importance of thinking independently rather than blindly following trends. “You have to abstain as much as possible from being gullible and listening to a narrative and believe it and also do it. So if you abstain from that as much as possible then that’s a good thing,” she said.

Moreover, she spoke candidly about the trade-offs that come with creative honesty. She added, “You might lose a project or two, and you might let go of a song or two. Yes, it happens all the time. So you might lose it for that moment, but in the bigger picture, you have to project yourself as yourself. For example, if I have to choose between doing say a run-of-the-mill song and play it safe or choose an in-your-face kind of song where I’m being crazy. I’ll choose the second option because even if I fail at least I did what is me instead of doing something which is boring.”

What AR Rahman Said

A. R. Rahman sparked debate after his interview with the BBC Asian Network. Where he spoke about changing dynamics in the film industry. He said that decision-making power now often rests with people who are not creatively driven. He also suggested that the situation “Might be a communal thing,” a remark that drew strong reactions from social media users.

Following the backlash, A. R. Rahman addressed the controversy through a video message. He clarified that his words may have been misunderstood and emphasised that his intentions were never to divide but to contribute positively through his work. “I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space that always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices,” he said.

About Shilpa Rao

Shilpa Rao’s own journey reflects her commitment to individuality. She gained recognition with songs like Tose Naina from Anwar. And rose to fame with Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno. Over the years, she has delivered popular tracks such as Ghungroo (War). Bulleya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), and Besharam Rang (Pathaan), building a diverse and impactful body of work.

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Also Read: Chhaava Writer Rishi Virmani REACTS To AR Rahman Calling Vicky Kaushal Starrer ‘Divisive’; Says, “Mindset Can’t Be Changed In Few Hours”

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.