Amaal Malik supports AR Rahman’s stance on industry bias but disagrees on communalism
Amaal Malik reacts to AR Rahman’s comments about communal bias in the Hindi film industry. He emphasized that Rahman was trying to highlight a larger issue.
Singer-composer Amaal Malik has reacted to AR Rahman’s comments on alleged “communal” bias in the Hindi film industry. Malik, while disagreeing with the communal stance, considered Rehman’s claims largely true.
Malik, in an interview with Faridoon Shahryar For his YouTube channel, it was emphasized that Rahman was attempting to highlight a larger issue. He said, “From an industry point of view, what he has said is largely correct. However, I don’t agree with the communal aspect. Forget nepotism and groupism. Today, every label is comfortable working with its own set of artistes. They promote those artists because they bring in revenue. Labels have become the real decision-makers.”
“This is the era of management and agencies. There is groupism, in both good and bad ways. You can see how Mani Ratnam sir works almost exclusively with Rahman sir, or how Anurag Basu mostly collaborates with Pritam da. Labels are comfortable with their artistes and there is nothing wrong in that. But if someone is making better music, they should be given priority, whether it is AR Rahman or a newcomer,” Amaal highlights.
The 35-year-old further added, “In the last 15 years, a new system has come into existence where labels prefer to stick to their artists, won’t wait for anyone to say yes, not even me or AR Rahman. That’s how things work today. And if AR Rahman can’t challenge this system, how can someone like me.”
The singer said, “This is not AR Rahman’s insecurities – he is too big for this. He is only showing the tip of the iceberg. He is indicating that even someone of his stature can be sidelined. Big players have a big say today and they are dominating the system.”
Rahman has also responded to criticism regarding his comments made in an interview, expressing his continued devotion to India and clarifying the intention behind his words. The musician, at the center of a public debate over alleged bias in Bollywood, shared a statement outlining his motivations. The statement was accompanied by footage of his song. Mother salute you/Vande Mataram It was performed at a cricket match highlighting his cultural contribution.
The composer-singer also referenced his recent work in building a string orchestra, guiding the Sunshine Orchestra, developing India’s first multicultural virtual band, Secret Mountain, and on the score for it. Ramayana With Hans Zimmer.
