Kamal Ghorui
Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has been under fire since his remarks on alleged communal bias in the film industry went viral. While several filmmakers and singers have weighed in on the controversy, veteran actress Waheeda Rehman has now shared her perspective on the ongoing debate.Responding to Rahman’s comments, Waheeda said that she prefers to stay away from such discussions. She said during an interview with Screen, “Yes, I read about it, but I try to dig less into it. I prefer not to pay attention to it when everything is going fine. These small things happen in every country,” she said.Explaining her stance further, the actress added, “So, what to believe and how much to believe? If it’s even true or not, why should we get involved? At least at my age, I don’t want to get involved with anything or anybody. Apni shaanti se raho, yeh mulk hai humaara, bas khush raho, that’s what I can say (this is our country, live in peace and stay happy).”Waheeda also suggested that professional phases and changing industry dynamics could sometimes influence such statements. “Kaam toh upar neeche hota hi rehta hai. Ek umar ke baad, log kehte hain ki bring somebody new or different (your ability to get work changes after a certain age). All this can lead to a few people staying behind,” she remarked.Concluding her thoughts, she noted that fluctuations in success are a natural part of any career. “Agar vo bahut oonchaai par pahuche hain aur vo vahin rahenge, unhi ko lenge, aisa bhi toh nahi hota na. Upar neeche hota hi rehta hai, aisi koi nayi baat nahi hai (It is nothing new; this fluctuation keeps happening),” she said.For those not in the know, in an interview BBC Asian Network, Rahman was asked whether he ever felt sidelined in Bollywood for being a Tamil composer. He responded by saying, “Maybe I never got to know of this, maybe it was concealed by God, but I didn’t feel any of this.” He went on to add, “The past eight years, maybe, because a power shift has happened, and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also… but it is not in my face.” During the same conversation, Rahman also criticised Chhaava for capitalising on “divisiveness.”
