AR Rahman recently found himself at the centre of a storm after hinting that he may have lost work in Bollywood over the past eight years due to growing communal undercurrents. His remarks triggered sharp reactions across the industry and social media, drawing criticism from some and cautious disagreement from others. While Rahman later issued a clarification and apology, the debate around polarization in the film industry continued to simmer.
Baba Azmi dismisses claims of deep-rooted polarization
Amid the ongoing discussion, veteran cinematographer Baba Azmi was asked whether he has personally experienced increasing polarization in the Hindi film industry. Speaking to Just Too Filmy, the son of legendary poet Kaifi Azmi and brother of Shabana Azmi played down the concern.
“I don’t think so. This might just be a passing phase, might be in a small percentage, but no.”Azmi suggested that while isolated instances may exist, they do not define the industry at large.
‘When you watch a film, you don’t think about religion’
Stressing that cinema ultimately transcends identity, Baba Azmi asserted that talent and storytelling remain the only true measures for audiences.“Absolutely. Because when you are watching a film, you don’t think about whether it’s a Muslim person acting in it or not. Either you’re so engrossed in the story, or you don’t like the film at all.”According to him, the audience’s connection with cinema is instinctive and emotional, not driven by the creator’s background.
Lagaan as an example of art beyond identity
To further underline his point, Azmi cited Lagaan as an example of how art is consumed without religious filters.“You don’t see who wrote the songs in Lagaan, that aarti. Whether it was a Muslim or a Hindu. That doesn’t matter. You are listening to it, and you either like it, period, or you don’t, period.” He added that such divisions are still far from becoming the norm.“There is nothing beyond that. At least, for now, I think we are far away from anything like that, and that’s how it should be.”
