Overview
- Composer Mithoon defended Rahman’s right to speak, praising his decades of influence and saying the country continues to embrace his work.
- Lyricist Manoj Muntashir rejected the idea of communal bias, citing the prominence of Muslim superstars and calling on public figures to weigh their words carefully.
- Jaaved Jaaferi framed the issue within broader shifts in entertainment, pointing to digital disruption, attention metrics and business pressures.
- Rahman had described a power shift that put non-creative gatekeepers in charge and said decisions reached him as “Chinese whispers,” after which he issued a video clarification stressing inclusivity.
- Actor Ranvir Shorey questioned the communal explanation, suggesting factors like high fees and feudal or political dynamics can influence opportunities.