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The Indian film industry has recently found itself at the center of a heated debate after comments made by legendary music composer AR Rahman. However, amidst the growing backlash, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has stepped forward to defend the Oscar winner, suggesting that AR Rahman’s words may have been misunderstood.

Imtiaz Ali, who has shared a long and successful creative partnership with Rahman on films like Rockstar and most recently Amar Singh Chamkila, addressed the situation in a recent interview. He firmly dismissed the idea of communal bias within the industry and voiced his support for the musician.

Imtiaz stated, “No, I don’t think there is a communal bias in the film industry. I’ve been here for a long time, and I’ve never seen it, and AR Rahman is one of the brightest figures that I’ve met in the film industry.” He further clarified his stance by adding, “I do not actually believe that he made all the comments that are being attributed to him, or maybe it’s been misconstrued. In fact, I know that he did not say exactly what is being perceived. Also, I don’t remember of a single incident where there was any communal bias or animosity.”

The controversy began when AR Rahman, during an interview with BBC Asian Network, was asked about experiencing prejudice in Bollywood. He said that while he personally hadn’t felt it in the past, things might have changed recently.

He said, “The past eight years, maybe, because a power shift has happened, and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also… but it is not in my face.” He also expressed criticism toward the film Chhaava for what he described as cashing in on divisiveness.

After the public outrage, Rahman released a video to clarify his intentions and express his deep connection to the country. He shared, “Music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring our culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt.”

Despite the ongoing chatter, AR Rahman remains busy with high-profile projects. He is currently working on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, where he is collaborating with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

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Sobhita Dhulipala recently opened up about her character in the upcoming Telugu thriller Cheekatilo. She shared about the character’s journey while explaining how the story works to bring the best out of her character, Sandhya.

Describing Sandhya’s inner compass and what drives her pursuit of justice, Sobhita explained, “I see Sandhya as a natural leader, not because she is fearless, but because she doesn’t let uncertainty decide her actions. There’s a quiet decisiveness to her. She’s driven by the need for clarity rather than validation, and that steadiness is what ultimately moves the story forward.”

Reflecting on what drew her to playing a true-crime podcaster, she opened up on navigating moral complexity. Sobhita added, “What interested me was the responsibility inherent to the role. Sandhya isn’t chasing drama; she’s chasing clarity. That mindset, of asking uncomfortable questions and remaining steady in uncertainty is something I carried forward from this experience.”

In another interview, Sobhita said, “When a story is pitched to me, I analyse what makes it unique. This story has a female podcaster and an element of social commentary. I have been privy to how families hush up an issue; it could be a child’s attention deficiency syndrome. In Cheekatilo, a young girl is molested and there is silence. I think it is important to convey that issues need to be discussed, to help the person find the strength to not be weighed down by it. The story also has an interesting whodunnit aspect. The script was fairly detailed when it came to me, and we suggested a few changes.”

Cheekatilo is directed by Sharan Kopishetty. It is produced by D. Suresh Babu under the banner of Suresh Production Pvt Ltd and written by Chandra Pemmaraju and Sharan Kopishetty. Alongside Sobhita Dhulipala, Viswadev Rachakonda is featured in the lead role, with Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani and Vadlamani Srinivas in pivotal roles. The film is set to premiere on Prime Video on January 23, 2026.

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