Mumbai: Renowned playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has sparked controversy by making serious allegations against celebrated music composer A.R. Rahman, accusing him of contributing to widespread job losses among instrumental musicians in the Indian film industry.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Abhijeet alleged that Rahman’s working methods and increasing reliance on technology have sidelined hundreds of traditional musicians who once formed the backbone of film music production
‘Technology Has Replaced Live Musicians’
According to Abhijeet, the shift towards computer-based music production has rendered many skilled instrumentalists unemployed. He claimed that Rahman promoted the idea that music could be created entirely on laptops, diminishing the need for live musicians.
“Hundreds of musicians who once played live in recording studios are now sitting at home without work,” Abhijeet said. “While Rahman gained immense financial success, many poor instrumentalists were left struggling. Earlier, recordings would feature 50 or even 100 violinists performing together. Today, everything has been reduced to programming.”
Criticism Over Treatment of Senior Artists
Abhijeet also criticised Rahman’s alleged attitude towards senior musicians, claiming that highly respected artists—some of them recipients of Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards—were made to wait for hours at Rahman’s studio just to meet him. Such treatment, he suggested, reflected a lack of respect for veteran contributors to Indian music.
Rahman Responds Amid Ongoing Controversies
The remarks come amid earlier controversies involving Rahman, who had previously told the BBC that he was receiving fewer opportunities in Bollywood due to certain vested interests. That statement triggered political debate and widespread discussion, prompting Rahman to later issue a clarification.
In a video message, Rahman stated that he never intended to hurt anyone and emphasised that his sole objective has always been to serve the nation through music. He described India as his greatest source of inspiration and noted that his words are sometimes misinterpreted. Prominent figures such as lyricist Javed Akhtar and singer Shaan have also weighed in on Rahman’s earlier comments, reflecting the broader debate within the industry.
The latest allegations by Abhijeet have once again reignited discussions on technology, tradition, and ethics in India’s evolving music industry.
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