New Delhi: Is Bollywood’s Oscar king playing the victim card? AR Rahman claims “communal bias” cost him work, but Kangana drops BOMBSHELLS.
She reveals he ditched her directorial debut Emergency, calling it “propaganda.” Plus, a shocking saree snub at Ram Janmbhoomi by Masaba Gupta. Who’s the real prejudiced one? Kangana’s epic clapback on Insta has social media exploding. Read the full spicy exchange that’s dividing B-town.
AR Rahman’s controversy sparks firestorm
AR Rahman recently told BBC he lost Bollywood gigs over eight years due to “prejudice within the Hindi film landscape” and a “power shift” favouring non-creatives. The Oscar winner hinted at communal issues, saying it came through “Chinese whispers” where music companies picked others. His remarks went viral, drawing reactions from Javed Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan, and Shaan, who denied any bias and praised Rahman’s stature.
Kangana’s scathing letter to Rahman
Kangana Ranaut hit back hard via Instagram Stories, addressing “Dear AR Rahman ji” directly. “I face so much prejudice and partiality in the film industry because I support a saffron party, yet I must say I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you,” she wrote. She revealed desperately wanting him for Emergency: “Forget narration, you even refused to meet me. I was told you don’t want to be part of a propaganda film”. Kangana added, “Ironically, Emergency was called a masterpiece by all critics, even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters appreciating the film for its balanced and compassionate approach, but you are blinded by your hate. I feel sorry for you #emergency”.
Masaba Gupta’s saree humiliation exposed
Kangana didn’t stop there, calling out designer Masaba Gupta over a Ram Janmbhoomi incident last year. “@arrahman ji, everyone has their own battles, forget films, the big designers who begged me to launch their jewellery and clothes… later refused to send my stylist clothes,” she shared. She recounted wearing Masaba’s saree to Ayodhya: “She told the stylist that I can’t go to Ram Janmbhoomi in her saree. I had already left Lucknow for Ayodhya… I felt so humiliated and degraded that I quietly cried in my car”. Kangana noted Masaba later hid her brand name and added, “I never performed at my own sister’s wedding, but 2016 was also the year when I performed at @masabagupta’s wedding,” with a throwback pic.
B-Town’s reactions pour in
Javed Akhtar dismissed Rahman’s claims: “I have never felt that way… smaller producers might feel intimidated to approach him. But I don’t believe there is any communal element”. Shankar Mahadevan blamed non-musical decision-makers, while Shaan said work shortages aren’t religion-based. Kangana’s post, on January 17, 2026, has fueled debates on industry bias. As the row rages, fans await responses from Rahman and Masaba.