Emergency Row Explained:Bollywood has been thrown into fresh turmoil as actor-director and Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut publicly accused acclaimed music composer AR Rahman of snubbing her over her film Emergency, a film that itself has been the centre of political and cultural debates since its release. The whole affair, which was originally sparked by the comments made by Rahman regarding the film industry, has now become a personal one with Kangana throwing serious accusations at one of the most admired composers in India.
Emergency Row Explained
Rahman’s Statements and Debate in the Industry
The whole situation started off with AR Rahman’s interview on BBC Asian Network, during which he openly talked about changes in the Hindi film industry and discussed people’s perceptions of favoritism and discrimination in Bollywood.
Rahman suggested that the landscape of decision-making has changed, with non-creative forces increasingly calling the shots, and mentioned that some of the alleged prejudices he had heard about “might have been communal,” though he said he had not personally faced them directly. His remark that Hindi film culture could be perceived as “communal” rapidly became a talking point, drawing reactions from various cinema and cultural commentators.
Rahman also described another 2025 release, Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal as a “divisive” film, even though he ultimately worked on its music, adding another layer to the ongoing discourse about political narratives and artistic responsibility in Indian cinema.
Kangana’s Response
In a series of posts on her Instagram Stories which she addressed directly to Rahman Kangana launched a forceful rebuttal, accusing him of both personal prejudice and professional avoidance.
The actor turned director shared a screenshot of Rahman from his interview with BBC Asian Network and she wrote, “Dear @arrahman ji, 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 said further, “I desperately wanted to narrate my directorial Emergency to you. Forget narration, you even refused to meet me.”
She added that she was told Rahman didn’t want to be part of a “propaganda film,” referring to her directorial venture Emergency.She claimed, “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.”
About Emergency
Kangana’s film Emergency, in which she also stars as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has been under intense public scrutiny since its launch. The movie tackles a heavily debated chapter of Indian history and has stirred reactions from multiple groups, including calls for bans in regions such as Punjab, where some organisations objected to its portrayal of historical events and figures.
