Mumbai: Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has publicly criticised music maestro AR Rahman, alleging that he declined to even meet her during the making of Emergency and dismissed the film as “propaganda,” a charge she has strongly refuted.
The exchange comes days after Rahman described Vicky Kaushal’s historical drama Chhaava as “divisive” in a recent interview, a remark that triggered a wider debate around creative expression and political narratives in cinema. Kangana responded sharply, claiming the composer’s views reflected deep-seated prejudice.
Kangana’s Instagram Post
On Saturday, Kangana shared a screenshot from Rahman’s BBC Asian Network interview on her Instagram Stories and accompanied it with a strongly worded message. She said she had faced discrimination in the film industry due to her political views but asserted that she had “never encountered someone as prejudiced” as Rahman.
According to Kangana, she had hoped to personally narrate Emergency to the composer but was denied the opportunity. “I was informed that you did not wish to associate with what you believed was a propaganda film,” she wrote, expressing disappointment over the alleged refusal to meet.
She further claimed that Emergency received praise from critics across the political spectrum, including appreciation from leaders of opposition parties. Accusing Rahman of judging the project without engaging with it, Kangana added that ideological hostility had clouded his perception.
Origins of the Row
The controversy traces back to Rahman’s comments on Chhaava, released in 2025, where he suggested the film relied on polarising themes despite showcasing acts of bravery. His remarks drew mixed reactions from the film fraternity and audiences alike, reigniting discussions around politics and storytelling in mainstream cinema.
About Emergency
Emergency, directed and co-produced by Kangana, is a political drama centred on the 1975–77 Emergency period in India. The film features Kangana in the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and also stars Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade and Milind Soman. Despite its ambitious subject and scale, the film struggled at the box office.
The latest exchange adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over ideological divisions in the entertainment industry, with prominent voices now openly challenging each other’s creative and political positions.
