AR Rahman's 'Victim Card' Sparks Backlash: A Deep Dive into His Career and Controversies

• AR Rahman, a first-generation Muslim convert, rose to prominence after displacing Ilaiyaraaja's musical supremacy with Mani Ratnam's 1992 film *Roja*.
• His career saw global recognition with an Academy Award for *Slumdog Millionaire* and a Grammy, but recent years have seen a decline in his influence in Tamil cinema.
• The article criticizes Rahman for using technology to 'produce' music, replacing rigorous voice training with AutoTune, and for his perceived role in the erosion of traditional Indian film music.
• Rahman's recent BBC interview, where he alleged communal bias in Bollywood and accused the film *Chhava* of 'cashing in on divisiveness,' sparked widespread backlash.
• The author highlights Rahman's personal branding, Sufi piety, and his 'spiritual sanctuary' at the Ajmer Dargah, which is seen as controversial due to its historical context.

Why It Matters: AR Rahman's recent 'victim card' claims and career trajectory have ignited debate over his musical legacy and public persona.