Shankar Mahadevan On AR Rahman Row

Raga News Zone | Mumbai

Renowned singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan has shared his views on the debate triggered by A.R. Rahman’s recent remarks about the Hindi film music industry, offering a balanced and reflective take on the issue that has sparked widespread discussion.

Rahman had earlier suggested that changes within the industry over the past few years have affected how creative decisions are made, hinting that there could be underlying factors influencing the kind of opportunities artists receive. His use of the word “communal” drew attention and led to varied reactions from musicians, lyricists and film personalities.

Reacting to the controversy, Shankar Mahadevan said he looks at the situation from a different perspective. According to him, the core issue lies in the growing gap between those who create music and those who control its commercial journey.

Mahadevan pointed out that while musicians focus on creativity, the fate of their work is often decided by people who are not directly connected to the art of music. He explained that decisions related to promotion, reach, and usage are usually taken by non-musical teams, which ultimately determines how a song or composition performs.

Without directly endorsing or opposing Rahman’s statement, Mahadevan highlighted a broader structural reality of the entertainment industry, where creative output and business decision-making function separately. He suggested that once music is created, it finds its own path depending on how it is handled by those in power.

The discussion has once again brought attention to long-standing concerns within the film and music industry regarding creative freedom, commercial influence, and the evolving role of corporates in shaping artistic outcomes.

As the debate continues, voices like Mahadevan’s add nuance to the conversation, shifting the focus from controversy to a deeper examination of how art and business intersect in modern Indian cinema and music.

More updates are on the way—stay tuned with Raga Zone.