UAE’s first female filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja has supported singer-composer AR Rahman amid the controversy over his comments about the Indian film industry. They had claimed that they were facing shortage of work due to changes in the industry’s regime and possible communal bias.

Rahman’s comments received mixed reactions from fans and celebrities. Al Khaja has now supported him in his Instagram post, expressing his admiration for his professionalism and humility. She captioned, “What I share comes from lived moments, not from opinions, not from distance. There were swarms of people waiting, and yet he stopped every few minutes. Over and over again, a gentle smile, a photo, a quiet kindness. I watched, mind boggled, as he made every single person feel seen.”

“I also saw the deep love his children had for him, a deep, natural affection that can’t be displayed. When you see that kind of love, you understand the person. Maybe that’s what happens when you’re a legend, you become easier to project, and harder to protect. He gave a voice to many people, opened doors and carried the culture forward with respect. As an Arab, I got to know Indian music through him, without translation. Bhavna. This man is a national treasure deserving respect, not noise (like that), the filmmaker said.

Nayla concluded, “Let us choose grace over resentment, respect over distortion. Choose love over hatred. Thank you for giving me leave and believing in my vision. Above all, thank you for being a great role model, a rare and honest human being whose kindness extends far beyond the room, bringing quiet joy to millions of people around the world.”

In an interview with Rahman, he said that he had experienced a lack of opportunities. He suggested that this may be due to changes in industry leadership and hinted at underlying communal reasons, although he said that such bias was not openly expressed.

Actress Kangana Ranaut criticized Rehman using words like “blind” and “hatred”, indicating her disagreement. Singer Shaan also commented that, in his view, periods without work for artists are not necessarily linked to religion.