A public clash between Kangana Ranaut and AR Rahman over the film Emergency sparks fresh debate on ideology, artistic freedom and professionalism in Bollywood.

A fresh controversy has gripped Bollywood after actor-director Kangana Ranaut launched a sharp public attack on Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman, accusing him of prejudice and professional dismissal. The exchange has reignited conversations around ideology, artistic boundaries and public conduct within the film industry.

In a strongly worded social media post, Kangana alleged that Rahman declined to even meet her regarding music composition for her upcoming film Emergency, branding the project as “propaganda” without hearing her creative vision. She said the rejection was particularly painful as she had admired Rahman’s work for years and believed his music could have added depth to the historical drama.

Kangana further claimed that the film, which revisits India’s Emergency period of the 1970s, had received appreciation from several critics and leaders, making Rahman’s alleged refusal feel like a judgment driven by preconceived notions rather than content. Her remarks followed recent comments by Rahman suggesting that the Hindi film industry had become “communal”—a statement he later clarified, saying it was misunderstood and not intended to target any group.

The composer has not directly responded to Kangana’s accusations so far, but the episode has sharply divided public opinion. While some have backed Kangana for speaking openly about her experience, others argue that creative disagreements should remain private and not be fought on social media platforms.

The controversy underlines how creative collaborations in Bollywood are increasingly shaped by ideological perceptions, not just artistic merit. As films become more politically charged, professional refusals are often read as political statements, blurring the line between personal belief and creative choice. For the industry, the episode serves as a reminder that public confrontations can overshadow the work itself, shifting focus from cinema to controversya trend that shows no sign of slowing down.