RGV backtracks after claiming AR Rahman didn’t compose ‘Jai Ho’
The world of Bollywood is no stranger to controversy, and the latest storm to hit the headlines involves filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma and music maestro AR Rahman. In a shocking claim, Varma stated 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 misquoted and misread out of context.
For those who may not be familiar with the song, ‘Jai Ho’ is a iconic track that won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2009. The song was a collaboration between AR Rahman, Sukhwinder Singh, and Tanvi Shah, among others. The song’s success was a milestone moment for Indian music, and it catapulted AR Rahman to international fame.
The controversy began when an old clip of Ram Gopal Varma surfaced, in which he claimed that Sukhwinder Singh was the actual composer of ‘Jai Ho’, and not AR Rahman. The clip sparked outrage among fans of AR Rahman, who were quick to defend the music maestro. Many took to social media to express their disappointment and anger at Varma’s claim, with some even calling for a boycott of his films.
However, soon after the clip resurfaced, Varma took to social media to clarify his statement. “I’m being misquoted and misread out of context,” he wrote. “AR Rahman is the greatest composer and nicest person I ever met. He’s the last person to take away anybody’s credit.” Varma’s clarification was seen as a damage control measure, as he tried to placate the fans of AR Rahman and avoid any further controversy.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time that Ram Gopal Varma has been involved in a controversy. The filmmaker has a history of making provocative statements, often to generate publicity for his films. However, in this case, it seems that Varma may have gone too far, as his claim about ‘Jai Ho’ was seen as a personal attack on AR Rahman’s credibility.
AR Rahman, on the other hand, has maintained a dignified silence throughout the controversy. The music maestro has not responded to Varma’s claim, and has instead chosen to focus on his work. Rahman’s fans, however, have been vocal in their support for him, and have praised him for his contributions to Indian music.
The controversy surrounding ‘Jai Ho’ has also sparked a larger debate about the importance of giving credit where it’s due. In the film industry, it’s not uncommon for multiple people to work on a single project, and it’s often difficult to determine who deserves the most credit. However, in the case of ‘Jai Ho’, it’s clear that AR Rahman was the driving force behind the song’s composition.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Ram Gopal Varma’s claim about ‘Jai Ho’ is a reminder that words have power, and that we should be careful about what we say. While Varma may have been trying to generate publicity, his claim about AR Rahman was seen as a personal attack, and it’s fortunate that he clarified his statement before things got out of hand. As for AR Rahman, he remains one of the most respected and beloved music composers in India, and his contributions to Indian music will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
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