Actor-politician Prakash Raj, condemned actor and MP, Kangana Ranaut over her remarks on music composer AR Rahman. He described the backlash as a form of "barking" against the truth.
Addressing the topic, ‘Criminalising Dissent! Who Gets Locked Up for Speaking Out?’ at the Kerala Literature Festival, Prakash Raj referenced the recent AR Rahman controversy as an example. The actor recalled how AR Rahman's achievement of winning two Oscars for 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' and 'Jai Ho' was "rejoiced" by everyone, but is now being called out by Kangana as "anti-national", as "he did not work for her."
For the uninitiated, AR Rahman was recently at the receiving end of criticism for his statement on the box-office hit, Chhaava (2025), that he composed music for. He called it a “divisive” venture in an interview with the BBC Asian Network. Further, he added that he has been getting fewer opportunities than before, owing to “communal” factors. Criticising this, Kangana Ranaut wrote that she had never “come across a man more prejudiced and hateful” than Rahman. Kangana also said that he rejected her offer to compose music for her directorial, Emergency (2025), as he deemed it propagandist. She asserted that it was, “balanced and compassionate.” As the controversy spread further, AR Rahman released a video statement expressing his love for the country.
Quoting the Thalaivii actor, Prakash Raj, said at the event that her comments started an euphoric “barking” against the composer who said nothing but “the truth.”
On the work front, AR Rahman is currently composing for the Ram Charan-starrer Peddi, releasing this April, and the Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi-starrer Ramayana, which is also expected to hit theatres this year. He recently won the Tamil Nadu State Award for Ponniyin Selvan 1 (2022) in the Best Music Director category. On the other hand, the actor-politician Kangana has begun shooting for her upcoming project, titled Bharatha Bhagya Vidhata, directed by Manoj Tapadia.