Shilpa Rao addresses AR Rahman communal remark row: You have to abstain as much as possible from being gullible'

Shilpa Rao is a popular Indian playback singer who has recorded songs across Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema. She began her musical journey during her college years after composer Mithoon selected her to sing “Javeda Zindagi” from 'Anwar' (2007). Now, Shilpa Rao has addressed the controversy surrounding AR Rahman’s remarks about alleged “communal” influences within the Hindi film industry.The National Award-winning singer shared her perspective during the 13th edition of Expresso by SCREEN. “You have to abstain as much as possible from being gullible and listening to a narrative and believe it and also do it. So if you abstain from that as much as possible then that’s a good thing,” she said.Shilpa Rao added that maintaining authenticity often requires difficult professional decisions. She acknowledged that artists may sometimes lose opportunities or projects for standing by their creative instincts.“You might lose a project or two, and you might let go of a song or two. Yes, it happens all the time. So you might lose it for that moment, but in the bigger picture, you have to project yourself as yourself. For example, if I have to choose between doing say a run-of-the-mill song and play it safe or choose an in-your-face kind of song where I’m being crazy, I’ll choose the second option because even if I fail at least I did what is me instead of doing something which is boring.”Earlier in January, AR Rahman addressed questions regarding discrimination in the Hindi film industry during an interview with BBC. When asked whether he had faced prejudice as a Tamilian, he reflected on industry dynamics and possible structural changes.“Maybe I never get to know of this, maybe it was concealed but I didn’t feel any of this. Maybe in the past eight years 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. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you but the music company went ahead and hired their 5 composers. I say good, I have more time to chill with my family. I am not in search for work. I don’t want to go in search for work. I want work to come to me; my sincerity to earn work. Whatever I deserve, I get.”Shilpa Rao has also entered regional cinema with “Abacha” from Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam (2009) for Telugu audiences, followed by her Tamil debut with “Oru Maalai Neram” from Naan Mahaan Alla (2010).