Kangana Ranaut accuses A.R. Rahman of bias, says composer refused to meet her over ‘Emergency’

Actor, filmmaker and politician Kangana Ranaut has publicly criticised composer A.R. Rahman, alleging that he declined to meet her to discuss music for Emergency and dismissed the film as “propaganda.” Ranaut shared the accusations on social media following remarks made by Rahman in a recent BBC Asian Network interview, where the Oscar-winning composer described Chhaava as a “divisive” film while explaining why he still chose to work on it.

Responding to Rahman’s comments, Ranaut claimed that she had sought a collaboration with him for her political drama Emergency but was turned away. In an Instagram post, she wrote, “I have not come across a man more prejudiced and hateful than you,” alleging that Rahman refused to even meet her after being told the subject of the film. She added, “You even refused to meet me… I was told you don’t want to be part of a propaganda film.”

A screengrab from Kangana Ranaut’s Instagram Stories
| Photo Credit:
@kanganaranaut/Instagram

Ranaut further argued that Emergency, which she directed and starred in as former prime minister Indira Gandhi, received positive critical feedback and appreciation from leaders across political lines. “Even opposition party leaders sent me fan letters appreciating the film for its balanced and compassionate approach,” she wrote, adding that Rahman was “blinded by hate.”

In his BBC interview, Rahman acknowledged that Chhaava touched on divisive themes but said he viewed its core as a story of bravery. He also questioned whether audiences are easily influenced by films, stating that people possess an “internal conscience” to distinguish truth from manipulation. Rahman additionally suggested that shifts in industry power dynamics may have contributed to him receiving fewer Hindi film offers in recent years, though he said such prejudice was not directly expressed to him.

In the same string of stories, Ranaut also brought up a past incident involving fashion designer Masaba Gupta, alleging that Gupta refused to allow her to wear one of her saris during a visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Ranaut claimed the decision left her humiliated and said the designer later asked that her brand not be mentioned.

A screengrab from Kangana Ranaut’s Instagram Stories
| Photo Credit:
@kanganaranaut/Instagram

Emergency was Ranaut’s most recent release and focused on the 1975–77 Emergency period in India. Despite heavy attention, the film underperformed at the box office.