Salim Merchant and AR Rahman: Famous musician Salim Merchant has collaborated with AR Rahman. Has broken his silence on Rahman’s recent ‘communal’ statement. This statement of Salim Merchant is much discussed amid the ongoing debate regarding the music and religion of the film ‘Ramayana’. During a recent interview, A.R. Rahman had expressed concern over the increasing ‘communal’ attitudes in the film industry. In response to this, Salim Merchant said that art has no religion and it is wrong to limit a great artist like Rahman to any particular category.
Salim Merchant’s frank statement
Salim Merchant defended Rahman during a podcast, saying music and art transcend boundaries and religions. If A.R. Rahman is composing music for ‘Ramayan’ (Nitesh Tiwari’s film), so I don’t see any issue or problem in it. He is an artist and his art is supreme.”
What was Rahman’s ‘communal’ comment?
Some time ago A.R. Rehman had said in a statement that nowadays in the industry, more importance is being given to people’s identity and religion rather than work, which points towards a ‘communal’ environment. He realized that some people were viewing his work through the prism of their religion.
‘Ramayana’ film and music controversy
Regarding Ranbir Kapoor starrer film ‘Ramayana’, a section of social media had raised questions whether A.R. Rahman will be able to do justice to this epic. Salim Merchant took strong exception to this, saying: “Rahman has always adorned Indian culture with his tunes.” He reminded how in songs like ‘Roja’, ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Jodha Akbar’, Rahman has beautifully woven every culture.
artists solidarity
Salim also made it clear that there should be creative freedom in the industry. He said that a Muslim artiste can compose music for a film based on Hindu mythology and a Hindu artiste can compose Sufi music—this is the real beauty of Indian cinema.
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