The backlash against AR Rahman’s controversial ‘communal’ statement continues to escalate, pulling in celebrities, politicians, and saints into a national conversation. From Mumbai’s studios to spiritual ashrams, opinions are flying fast and furious.
Adding her voice with a dose of humor and nostalgia is ex-actress and now Sadhvi Mamta Kulkarini. She observed that patience is waning among the younger generation, altering the essence of music itself. ‘Back in the day, we all worked as a team,’ she noted. ‘Today, music directors are casually popping popcorn. AR Rahman ought to count his blessings that I’m not around to micromanage his compositions or song choices.’
A star of the 90s who romanced Bollywood’s biggest heroes, Kulkarini shared a personal anecdote from her Dubai retreat. Deep in meditation, she shunned cinema until a Christian friend brought up ‘Kaminey.’ Her response? ‘Such a vulgar title—imagine the lyrics!’ That encounter marked her shift to a milk-and-curd simple spiritual existence.
Addressing Bollywood’s shifting dynamics, she lamented the rise of religious bigotry. ‘The 90s were magical; Aamir Khan felt like family, no questions of faith,’ she recalled. ‘Now, it’s all about who’s Muslim or Hindu. Enough! Artists transcend religion—let’s celebrate that.’
Others like Shaan have echoed resilience amid career droughts, refusing to personalize professional setbacks. Shankar Mahadevan and Anup Jalota have also chimed in, highlighting the broader implications for India’s creative community. This saga reveals deep fault lines in the industry, urging a return to inclusive ethos.