RGV backtracks after claiming AR Rahman didn’t compose ‘Jai Ho’
The world of Indian cinema is no stranger to controversy, and the latest storm to hit the headlines involves none other than acclaimed filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma and the legendary composer AR Rahman. In a shocking claim, Varma was seen in an old clip stating that the Oscar-winning song ‘Jai Ho’ from the movie Slumdog Millionaire was not composed by AR Rahman, but rather by singer Sukhwinder Singh. However, soon after the clip resurfaced, Varma was quick to backtrack, claiming that he was being misquoted and misread out of context.
For those who may be unaware, ‘Jai Ho’ is a song that was featured in the 2008 movie Slumdog Millionaire, which was directed by Danny Boyle. The song was composed by AR Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar and Sukhwinder Singh lending his voice to the track. The song went on to win several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2009. It’s worth noting that the song’s success was a milestone moment for Indian cinema, marking a rare instance of an Indian composer winning an Oscar.
The clip in question, which has been doing the rounds on social media, shows Varma making the claim that Sukhwinder Singh was the actual composer of ‘Jai Ho’. While the clip does not provide any context or explanation for Varma’s statement, it was enough to send shockwaves through the film fraternity. Many were quick to come to Rahman’s defense, expressing their outrage and disappointment at Varma’s claim.
However, it didn’t take long for Varma to realize the gravity of his statement, and he soon took to social media to clarify his position. In a series of tweets, Varma claimed that he was being misquoted and misread out of context. He went on to praise AR Rahman, calling him the “greatest composer and nicest person” he had ever met. Varma also emphasized that Rahman was the last person to take away anybody’s credit, implying that the composer was too gracious and humble to engage in any kind of credit-grabbing.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time that Varma has found himself at the center of a controversy. The filmmaker has a reputation for being outspoken and unafraid to speak his mind, often courting controversy in the process. While some have praised Varma for his willingness to challenge the status quo and push boundaries, others have criticized him for being reckless and insensitive.
In this case, however, it seems that Varma may have realized that he had gone too far. By backtracking and clarifying his statement, Varma has attempted to diffuse the situation and avoid any further controversy. It’s likely that the filmmaker has learned a valuable lesson from this experience, and will be more careful in the future about what he says and how he says it.
As for AR Rahman, the composer has chosen not to comment on the controversy, preferring instead to focus on his work and let his music speak for itself. It’s a testament to Rahman’s class and character that he has chosen not to engage with Varma’s claim, and instead has allowed his fans and well-wishers to come to his defense.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Ram Gopal Varma’s claim about AR Rahman and the song ‘Jai Ho’ is a reminder that words have power and can have serious consequences. While Varma may have thought that his statement was harmless, it ultimately caused a lot of hurt and outrage. By backtracking and clarifying his position, Varma has attempted to make amends and move on from the controversy. As for AR Rahman, he remains one of the most respected and beloved composers in the industry, and his music continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world.
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