Shankar Mahadevan on AR Rahman's 'Communal' Remark: Music's Fate in Non-Musical Hands

• AR Rahman's recent interview sparked debate about a slowdown in his Hindi film industry work and a power shift over the last eight years.
• Shankar Mahadevan offered a different perspective, stating that the disconnect between music creation and its destiny being decided by non-musical teams has existed for decades.
• Rahman later posted an Instagram video, emphasizing his bond with India and its culture, stating his intentions are sometimes misunderstood, and his purpose is to serve through music.
• Shankar Mahadevan's band Shakti received two nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards: Best Global Music Album for Mind Explosion and Best Global Music Performance for Shrini’s Dream (Live).
• Shankar also launched Goongoonalo, an artist-owned music platform, aiming to prioritize creative freedom and artist ownership, addressing concerns similar to those raised by Rahman.

Why It Matters: Shankar Mahadevan attributes music's fate to non-musical decision-makers, while launching an artist-owned platform.