MUMBAI: Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has gracefully responded to singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s recent accusations that he is responsible for the decline of live instrumentation in India’s music industry. In an interview with India Today, Rahman addressed the criticism, reaffirming his continued support for traditional musicians.
Abhijeet had earlier told ANI that Rahman’s reliance on laptops and digital tools had sidelined live musicians, leaving many out of work. “Artists who play music are left jobless,” the veteran singer had said.
Responding with calm and wit, Rahman said, “It’s nice to blame me for everything. I still love Abhijeet, and I would send cakes to him. Also, it’s his opinion, and there’s nothing wrong with having one.”
He went on to highlight his ongoing efforts to uplift live artists. “I recently set up an orchestra with 60 women in Dubai. They are employed every month, with insurance and health benefits,” he shared. “In every movie I do—like Chhaava or Ponniyin Selvan—there are 200 to 300 musicians involved. Some songs have over 100 people working on them. I just don’t post pictures, so no one sees it.”
Rahman also defended the role of technology in music-making. “Computers help create extraordinary harmonies, but I can’t afford to hire musicians just to reject what they play later. The producers I work with can vouch for how many people are actually involved.”
The celebrated composer’s current lineup includes Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal, Tamil film Kadhalikka Neramillai, Aamir Khan’s Lahore 1947, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein, and an epic collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan.
