Anuradha Paudwal defends AR Rahman amidst his communal remark, calls him a 'saintly' person

Veteran playback singer Anuradha Paudwal has spoken out amid the controversy surrounding AR Rahman’s alleged “communal” remark, describing the celebrated composer as a deeply spiritual and noble individual.In a conversation with ANI, Paudwal expressed her support for the Oscar-winning musician. “From what I know of AR Rahman is through his music. I have never met him personally, but his music tells that he is a very saintly person,” she said.Addressing the reports about Rahman’s supposed communal comments, Paudwal suggested that interviews are often structured to provoke sensational responses. “I have been in the industry, and I have seen that when any artist, not only AR Rahman, but when any artist sits for an interview, the interviewer usually likes to frame questions in such a way to incite their desired response.

The media, the channels, they don’t like straight interviews.

Because they want something else,” she stated.The ‘Nazar Ke Samne’ singer further emphasised Rahman’s immense contribution to the music world, asserting that he stands above such controversies. “AR Rahman has given us the greatest of numbers, and he is beyond all this. He has achieved so much. He is not at that stage where anybody can influence his career.

That’s what I feel as a senior artist, he has done wonders with his songs. There is no meaning in it,” she added.Her remarks come after Rahman, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, mentioned that his work in the Hindi film industry had reduced in recent years, linking it to shifts within the industry over the past eight years. The interview sparked varied reactions from fans and prominent personalities alike, including Kangana Ranaut, Paresh Rawal, Ranvir Shorey, Subhash Ghai, and Shobhaa De.