In a significant move, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman has become the first South Asian artist to publicly support U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. As Hollywood celebrities continue to rally behind Harris in the lead-up to the election, Rahman’s endorsement is seen as a powerful call to mobilise South Asian voters globally in favour of the Harris-Walz ticket.

The renowned musician recently recorded a 30-minute performance video interwoven with campaign messages from Harris. This musical initiative, organized by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Victory Fund, aims to boost representation of AAPI communities in U.S. politics. According to Shekar Narasimhan, chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, “With this performance, A R Rahman has added his voice to a chorus of leaders and artists who are standing up for progress and representation in America.”

The AAPI Victory Fund has released a teaser featuring Rahman and Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami as they prepare for the performance. The full event will be broadcast on October 13 at 8 p.m. ET (October 14, 5:30 a.m. IST) on the AAPI Victory Fund’s YouTube channel, as well as across major South Asian media networks, including AVS and TV Asia.

Harris, meanwhile, has been intensifying her campaign efforts, leveraging recent criticism directed at former President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that his recent comments on foreign policy have sparked concern among voters, providing Harris with further leverage on the campaign trail. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear pact has also been a focus of her critique, as she emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions.

Rahman’s support is expected to energize the Harris campaign as the nation approaches the November 5 election, underscoring the significant role of AAPI voters and their growing momentum within the Democratic platform.