Veteran actor and BJP MP Arun Govil has sparked a new conversation in the Indian film industry by dismissing Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman’s recent suggestion of “communal” bias in Bollywood. Speaking at a recent industry event, Govil, widely revered for his iconic portrayal of Lord Ram, asserted that the film industry remains one of the most inclusive sectors in India.
The controversy began when AR Rahman, in an interview with the BBC Asian Network, reflected on the decline of his work in Hindi cinema over the last eight years. Rahman hinted that a “power shift” toward non-creative decision-makers might have introduced a communal undercurrent, though he clarified that such bias was never “in his face” but felt like “Chinese whispers.”
Responding to these claims on the sidelines of an event hosted by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Arun Govil expressed strong disagreement.
“In our industry, it has never happened that people have not received work due to communal bias. In fact, the film industry is perhaps the only industry where such bias does not exist,” Govil told reporters.
To support his stance, Govil pointed toward the historical and contemporary dominance of Muslim superstars in Indian cinema. He argued that if the industry were truly communal, the rise of legendary figures would have been impossible.
He cited Dilip Kumar, calling him the “king of the industry” during his era. He specifically named Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, questioning, “If there were communal bias, how would they have become such big stars?”
Rahman’s original comments had initially caused a stir on social media, with the composer also criticizing the film Chhaava for what he termed “cashing in on divisiveness.” However, following a wave of backlash, Rahman released a video clarification on January 18, 2026.
In the video, Rahman stated that his intentions were misunderstood and that he never intended to cause pain. He described India as his “inspiration, teacher, and home,” emphasizing that his music has always aimed to celebrate the country’s diverse culture.
Interestingly, both Govil and Rahman are currently associated with one of the most anticipated projects in Indian cinema: Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Arun Govil is set to play King Dasharath. AR Rahman is co-composing the film’s score alongside Hollywood legend Hans Zimmer. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
