AR Rahman Responds To Abhijeet's Criticism Over Live Music: “I’d Send Cakes To Him”

Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman has responded to recent criticism from playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who accused him of sidelining live musicians in favor of electronic production and digital tools.

In a candid conversation with ANI, Abhijeet alleged that Rahman’s signature, synth-heavy sound has contributed to the decline of traditional instrumentalists in the Indian music scene. He claimed that this shift towards software-based production has displaced talented musicians, resulting in a creative landscape “dominated by laptops,” with fewer opportunities for live performers.

“It’s His Opinion, and That’s Okay”: Rahman Responds

In a calm and composed response to India Today, Rahman addressed the allegations with characteristic humility and humor.

"It's nice to blame me for everything," he said lightly. "I still love Abhijeet, and I would send cakes to him. Also, it's his opinion, and there's nothing wrong with having one."

While Rahman dismissed the critique with grace, he also offered context on his ongoing efforts to support live musicians. He highlighted the recent formation of an all-women orchestra in Dubai—a 60-member ensemble that receives full-time salaries, health insurance, and employment benefits.

Refuting the idea that his work is dominated by machines, Rahman pointed to his scores for films like Chhaava and Ponniyin Selvan, which, he revealed, have involved hundreds of live musicians. "Some of my compositions bring together 200 to 300 artists. One track alone can feature over a hundred contributors," he said. "I don’t always post pictures or talk about these collaborations, so people often don’t realize the scale.”

Rahman also clarified that digital tools are not a replacement but rather a creative extension of the music-making process. "Computers are used to experiment with harmony and structure—not to replace human performance,” he explained. “I can’t afford to bring in musicians, record them, and then discard their work. That would be both disrespectful and wasteful.”

He further noted that any producer who’s worked with him can attest to the extensive use of live instrumentation in his compositions.

A Packed Slate of Musical Projects

Despite the criticism, Rahman remains deeply immersed in a busy slate of high-profile projects. His recent work includes the soundtrack for Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal, and the Tamil film Kadhalikka Neramillai.

He is also currently composing for several major upcoming releases, including Aamir Khan’s Lahore 1947, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, and Aanand L. Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein.

Perhaps most notably, Rahman is set to collaborate with Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer for director Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological epic Ramayan—a project that marks a rare coming together of two global musical icons.