Kangana Ranaut Slams AR Rahman As ‘Prejudiced, Hateful’ Over Bollywood Remarks

Addressing a session on her new book at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival 2026, De said she disagreed with composer Rahman's claims of religious bias in Bollywood.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Ranaut claimed that Rahman refused to meet her or work on the music for her directorial film, 'Emergency', because he allegedly considered it a "propaganda film".

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Kangana Ranaut accused AR Rahman of prejudice for refusing film work.
• Ranaut stated Rahman deemed her 'Emergency' film a
• She defended 'Emergency' as critically acclaimed and balanced.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 17 (ANI): Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut called the Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman "prejudiced and hateful" amid the controversial remarks by the singer against Bollywood.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Ranaut claimed that Rahman refused to meet her or work on the music for her directorial film, 'Emergency', because he allegedly considered it a "propaganda film".

"Dear AR Rahman, I face so much prejudice and partiality in the film industry because I support a saffron party, yet I must say I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you, I desperately wanted to narrate my directorial Emergency to you, forget narration, you even refused to meet me. I was told you don't want to be a part of a propaganda film," wrote Ranaut.

The actress also mentioned that her movie 'Emergency' was well-received by critics and opposition leaders alike for its "balanced" approach, saying that Rahman was "blinded by his hate".

"Ironically, Emergency was called a masterpiece by all critics, even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters appreciating the film for its balanced and compassionate approach, but you are blinded by your hate. I feel sorry for," wrote Kangana Ranaut.

Oscar-winning composer Rahman had said in a recent interview on the BBC Asian Network that work from the Hindi film industry has slowed for him in recent years, attributing it to changing dynamics in the industry over the past eight years.

Veteran author and columnist Shobhaa De has termed AR Rahman's recent remark on Bollywood as "very dangerous", stressing that the film industry has always been a space where talent, not religion, determines opportunity.

Addressing a session on her new book at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival 2026, De said she disagreed with composer Rahman's claims of religious bias in Bollywood.

"This is a very dangerous comment. I don't know why he's made it; you should ask him. But I've been watching Bollywood for 50 years. And if I've seen any place which is free of any kind of communal tension, it is Bollywood. If you have talent, you will get a chance. If you don't have talent, there's no question of religion being a factor; they're not giving you a chance. So, what he's saying, he's such a successful man, he's such a mature man. He should not have said it; maybe he has his reasons. You will have to ask him," she said.
AR Rahman is yet to respond to these reactions. 

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)