When National Security Becomes a Soundbite

The recent uproar in Parliament over a reported excerpt from Four Stars of Destiny, an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, offers a familiar reminder: national security is often discussed most loudly when it is least understood.

At the centre of the controversy is an incident allegedly described in the book—one that reportedly pertains to a perceived Chinese movement across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh on the night of 31 August 2020. The manuscript, it is said, has remained unpublished for over fifteen months, pending clearance from the Ministry of Defence, owing to the sensitivity of certain operational details.

In theory, the public is entitled to ask questions about decision-making during border incidents. In practice, however, such questions must be framed with an understanding of how the military, the government, and diplomatic agreements intersect—especially under conditions of uncertainty, time pressure, and escalation risk.

Decision-making under constraints is not weakness

According to accounts available in the public domain, the episode involved telephonic communication between then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Joshi and the Army Chief regarding reports of Chinese tanks and infantry columns moving towards the Kailash Range area. General Naravane is believed to have informed the Defence Minister, and the matter reportedly reached the Prime Minister, who is said to have advised that the Army handle the matter as deemed appropriate.

Some critics have interpreted this as a lack of direction. But that interpretation conveniently ignores a crucial reality: operational responses at the LAC are shaped not merely by intent or political will, but by established protocols and bilateral understandings.

One of the most significant among them is the Sino–Indian agreement of 29 November 1996, which restricts the use of firearms in areas close to the LAC. It exists precisely to prevent tactical incidents from spiralling into strategic crises. That agreement—and the broader logic of escalation control—means military commanders do not always have unlimited freedom to respond with force, even when confronted with provocations.

And the consequences of this framework are not theoretical. They were tragically visible in Galwan Valley, where 19 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a brutal hand-to-hand clash in which firearms were not used. In that aftermath, every commander and policymaker knows that even a single night of miscalculation can carry irreversible costs.

If there was confusion, policy must be examined—not politicised

A reported movement involving armour and infantry would naturally demand vigilance and readiness. But the choice to use firepower carries consequences: violation of established agreements, escalation into a wider military confrontation, and the triggering of a chain of actions that cannot be easily reversed.

That is precisely why professional military leadership may seek government-level clarity. That is not cowardice. It is responsible command. It is also why governments, in turn, often defer tactical execution to trained professionals once strategic boundaries are understood.

Reports later suggested that the perceived intrusion did not escalate, and communication between commanders may have helped clarify intent. If so, that outcome reflects the quiet work of deterrence, readiness, and crisis management—none of which is designed for theatrical political consumption.

The uncomfortable truth about defence memoirs

There is also a separate issue that deserves attention: the publication of defence-related memoirs is not merely a literary exercise. Senior officers who have held the highest commands possess information that can affect diplomacy, operations, and institutional credibility. Government clearance is not a formality—it is an established safeguard.

When unpublished manuscripts or sensitive excerpts enter public circulation before clearance, the damage is not limited to reputations. It can cloud public understanding, politicise professional decisions, and risk exposing the very frameworks that keep conflict contained.

The question we should be asking

The real question is not whether one statement in a memoir offers a convenient political angle. The real question is whether India’s operational constraints at the LAC need a structured policy review—especially when agreements made in an earlier era do not always fit today’s realities.

If the episode raises concerns about how frontline forces are expected to respond under restrictive rules of engagement, that is a legitimate debate. But such debates must be conducted with seriousness and responsibility—not reduced to partisan theatre.

National security cannot be treated as a talking point. It is a domain where caution is often competence, restraint is often strategy, and silence is sometimes the most professional response of all.

The “Mother of All Deals”: Why the India–EU FTA is Sending Shockwaves Through Global Trade

The “Mother of All Deals”: Why the India–EU FTA is Sending Shockwaves Through Global Trade

In late January 2026, global trade watchers witnessed a historic breakthrough: India and the European Union concluded negotiations for a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA)—popularly dubbed the “Mother of All Deals.” The agreement was announced as finalized on January 27, 2026, ending nearly two decades of intermittent negotiations and signaling a decisive shift in global economic alignment.

What makes this pact extraordinary is its scale and strategic timing. Together, India and the EU create a combined economic space of nearly 2 billion people and about a quarter of global GDP, making this one of the most consequential trade arrangements of the decade.

What’s Inside the Deal (In Plain Economic Terms)

1) Tariff Liberalisation at Unprecedented Scale

At its core, the deal is designed to reduce barriers to trade at scale:

• The EU will eliminate or reduce tariffs on most goods, with deep coverage across Indian exports.

• India will also provide significant market access for European products—especially in higher-value industrial categories.

Translation: this deal is structured to expand trade volumes rapidly, not gradually.

2) Sectoral Winners: India’s Export Surge vs Europe’s Industrial Access

India’s biggest gains are expected in labour-intensive and value-chain-heavy sectors, including:

• textiles & apparel

• leather & footwear

• marine products

• gems & jewellery
  These categories benefit disproportionately from duty-free or near-duty-free access, where Europe is a high-margin consumer market.

Europe’s biggest gains come via expanded access in:

• machinery & industrial equipment

• electrical & high-tech products

• chemicals

• automobiles

• spirits / wine via tariff reductions or quota-based access
  Europe’s comparative advantage lies in capital goods and high-precision manufacturing, and India is one of the world’s fastest-growing consumption and industrial markets.

3) Services and Mobility: The “Hidden Engine”

Unlike older-style FTAs that focus only on goods, this agreement also expands cooperation across services—especially critical for India. The coverage includes a wide range of service sub-sectors, including IT and professional services, and includes provisions that enable smoother movement of professionals.

Translation: it’s not just about ports and containers—this FTA also trades in talent, contracts, and digital value.

Why This Deal Matters Now: A Strategic Reply to US Tariff Disruption

One reason this agreement is being read as geopolitically strategic is timing.

The FTA emerges in an environment where the global trading system is becoming more fragmented, and tariffs are increasingly used as tools of economic statecraft. Reuters explicitly notes the agreement is also aimed at boosting trade and reducing reliance on the US amid rising trade tensions.

Economically, this deal functions like a hedge

It gives both India and Europe an alternate “growth corridor” that reduces exposure to:

• unilateral tariff shocks

• forced decoupling decisions

• concentrated supply chain risk

• unpredictable trade restrictions

In simple terms, it is a diversification strategy—not just a trade agreement.

Pros and Cons for India (Economic Perspective)

Pros for India

1) Export Upside + Job Creation in Labour-Intensive Sectors

If executed well, duty-free EU access could raise competitiveness for Indian exports where margins are thin but employment intensity is high (textiles, footwear, marine, gems & jewellery).

2) Stronger “China+1” Positioning

Europe’s search for supply chain resilience creates a clear opportunity for India to increase share in:

• electronics assembly

• industrial components

• speciality manufacturing
  This supports India’s ambition to become a trusted manufacturing node rather than only a consumption market.

3) Services Growth + Professional Mobility Tailwinds

Expanded services coverage strengthens India’s advantage in:

• IT services

• engineering services

• consulting and specialised talent exports

4) Strategic Protection for Sensitive Domestic Segments

A key negotiating priority for India has been protecting vulnerable domestic sectors. Indian officials have emphasised that sensitive areas such as agriculture/dairy were safeguarded.

Cons / Risks for India

1) Import Competition Risk for MSMEs

Lower tariffs on European machinery, electrical goods, and industrial products can create pressure on Indian MSMEs unless domestic competitiveness rises quickly.

2) Standards, Compliance Costs and Non-Tariff Barriers

Europe is known for stringent norms in:

• sustainability

• labour compliance

• product standards
  Even when tariffs fall, exports can struggle if compliance capability does not scale.

3) Political Economy Pushback

Farmer and civil-society groups have raised concerns around the agreement’s downstream impact on agriculture and food sovereignty, showing that implementation may face domestic political friction.

Pros and Cons for Europe (Economic Perspective)

Pros for Europe

1) One of the World’s Largest Growth Markets Opens Wider

India offers demand at scale across:

• premium consumer products

• industrial machinery

• automobiles and components
  The deal helps European industry diversify growth away from saturated markets.

2) Lower-Cost, Diversified Supply Chains

Europe reduces dependency on high-risk or over-concentrated supply chains by strengthening trade depth with India.

3) Competitive Hedge Against a Fragmenting Global Order

Europe is essentially investing in a stable, rules-based partner to reduce exposure to trade uncertainty elsewhere.

Cons / Risks for Europe

1) Uneven Speed of Gains

Europe may gain strongly in capital goods and premium segments, but mass-market access could still face complexity due to India’s regulations, state-level variations, and implementation delays.

2) Domestic Sensitivities in EU Labour & Industry

A larger opening to Indian labour-intensive exports can trigger anxieties in certain EU domestic industries (textiles, low-end manufacturing), requiring careful sequencing and safeguards.

So What’s the Big Picture?

The “Mother of All Deals” is not just another FTA.

It represents a strategic consolidation of two large democracies into a deeper economic partnership, designed to:

• accelerate trade

• diversify supply chains

• stabilise market access

• reduce exposure to global tariff volatility

In the language of modern geopolitics, it is a trade deal with strategic intent—and a signal that India and Europe are choosing deeper integration as the world becomes more economically fragmented.

What Happens Next

Following the January 2026 announcement, the agreement enters a phase of:

• legal scrubbing

• ratification processes (European Parliament and Indian approvals)

This stage matters because that’s where timelines, exclusions, and actual implementation schedules become real.

Rupee Weakening vs USD: Not a Sign of India’s Decline — Often a Feature of Strategy, Not a Bug of Failure

Rupee Weakening vs USD: Not a Sign of India’s Decline — Often a Feature of Strategy, Not a Bug of Failure

Every time the Indian Rupee weakens against the US Dollar, a familiar narrative resurfaces: “The Rupee is falling, so India’s economy must be weakening.”

This conclusion sounds intuitive—but it is not always correct.

The INR–USD exchange rate is not a one-line judgment on the health of the Indian economy. It is the net result of global dollar cycles, capital flows, interest rate differentials, commodity movements, and India’s own macro choices.

In fact, if a country is growing structurally and aiming for export competitiveness and global supply chain relevance, a fully “strong” currency is not always the goal. In India’s case, the Rupee’s depreciation is often best understood as a controlled adjustment supported by macro buffers, not necessarily a macro breakdown.

First Reality Check: Often It’s the Dollar Rising, Not the Rupee “Collapsing”

The USD plays a unique role in global finance:

• dominant reserve currency
• safe-haven during uncertainty
• benchmark for commodities and capital flows

So, when the USD strengthens globally, it is common for most currencies to weaken against it, even when domestic economies remain stable. This is why tracking the Dollar Index (DXY) matters. DXY represents the USD strength against a basket of major currencies and often explains why emerging market currencies come under pressure.

So, the correct diagnostic is:

“Is the Rupee weakening because India is weak?”

or

“Is the Rupee weakening because the USD is strong globally?”

Often, it’s the second. A Strong Currency Is Not Always a Strong Economy. A currency can remain artificially strong for optics—but that can impose costs:

• exports become expensive
• import dependence rises
• manufacturing competitiveness suffers
• jobs don’t scale in production ecosystems

India’s long-term aspiration is not “a strong Rupee headline.” It is:

• becoming a manufacturing platform
• exporting more goods and services
• building globally competitive firms
• increasing employment through industry scale

In this context, a slightly weaker currency can support competitiveness—so long as inflation and external sector risks are controlled.

What the Macro Data Says: India Is Not Showing Typical Signs of Currency Stress

When a currency depreciates due to economic deterioration, you typically see stress signals like:

• exploding current account deficit
• collapsing forex reserves
• runaway inflation
• inability to finance imports
• external debt crisis dynamics

India’s current macro indicators, however, show buffers and stability, not fragility. Current Account Deficit (CAD): Under Control, Not Breaking Down. A classic reason currencies weaken structurally is a widening current account deficit. But India’s CAD has improved meaningfully versus the prior year: FY 2023–24 CAD fell to USD 23.2 billion (0.7% of GDP) from USD 67 billion (2% of GDP) in FY 2022–23

This matters because a lower CAD means India needs less net external financing to fund its import bill. The Economic Survey also attributes the improvement to:

• lower merchandise trade deficit
• stronger net services exports
• remittances

This isn’t a weak-economy signature. This is a stabilizing external account signature.

Foreign Exchange Reserves: India Has a Strong Defensive Buffer

Countries that face currency panic often suffer from one big weakness: they cannot defend the currency because reserves are low. India, by contrast, has maintained high forex reserves, giving the RBI significant capacity to manage volatility.

Government/RBI-linked reporting highlighted:

forex reserves around USD 676.3 billion as of April 4, 2025 with import cover of nearly 11 months

This matters because reserves:

• reduce panic risk
• support orderly FX markets
• protect against sudden external shocks
• allow gradual adjustment instead of disorderly moves

In other words: India’s FX stability is not based on hope—it is based on buffer strength.

Inflation: Depreciation Is Dangerous Only If It Triggers a Spiral — That Isn’t Evident Here

A weak currency becomes a macro threat when it creates a feedback loop: Rupee weakness → imported inflation rises → inflation expectations rise → currency weakens further. But India’s inflation dynamics recently show moderation.

Government-linked reporting (Economic Survey framing) stated:

April–Dec 2025 average headline inflation was ~1.7%

Additionally, official CPI releases have shown very low YoY headline inflation levels in late 2025 (e.g., 0.71% in Nov 2025). Now, inflation is always fluid and can change (especially with oil/food shocks). But the macro fear narrative around depreciation becomes weaker when inflation is not surging out of control. So If the Economy Isn’t Deteriorating, Why Allow the Rupee to Weaken?

Here’s the core idea:

• India is not running a “strong currency at any cost” model.
• India is running a “stability + competitiveness + resilience” model.

That requires managing the Rupee like a shock absorber—not like a trophy. 

Reason 1: Supporting Export Competitiveness (Especially Services + Manufacturing)

India’s external earnings are increasingly powered by:

• software and IT exports
• business services
• global capability centers
• manufacturing exports scaling through policy support

A moderately weaker Rupee:

• improves INR realizations for exporters
• supports pricing competitiveness
• protects margins during global slowdowns

In fact, the Economic Survey highlights that improvement in CAD was supported by net services exports, driven by software and other services. So a currency that is “too strong” can unintentionally penalize one of India’s strongest global advantages.

Reason 2: Managing Volatility is More Important Than “Defending a Number”

India’s approach is widely understood as intervening to smooth volatility rather than to peg at a fixed level.

With high reserves, the RBI can:

• slow down disorderly depreciation
• prevent panic
• maintain orderly markets

…but still allow the currency to move gradually based on fundamentals and global conditions. That’s macro-prudence, not weakness.

Reason 3: Capital Flows Can Be Cyclical — and Temporary INR Weakness Can Be a Buffer

Currency moves are often driven not just by trade but by capital flows. Even strong economies can see depreciation when:

• foreign investors reduce equity exposure
• global yields rise
• risk appetite falls

A recent example of market commentary around INR weakness highlights the role of:

• reduced capital inflows
• external pressure
• global yield environment

The point is not whether every forecast is right—the point is that short-term INR moves can reflect capital cycle timing, not structural national decline.

The Right Framework: “Is It Disorderly?” Not “Is It Lower?”

Rupee depreciation becomes a true danger when it is:

Sudden and violent - This signals panic and can create self-fulfilling capital flight.

1. Inflationary and persistent - If depreciation drives sustained imported inflation, it becomes politically and economically costly.
2. Reserve-draining - If reserves fall rapidly, markets begin to doubt defensive capacity.
3. Debt-amplifying - If external debt servicing becomes too heavy for corporates/government.

But when depreciation is:

• gradual
• supported by reserves
• accompanied by stable CAD
• occurring in a strong-USD global phase

…it behaves more like macro adjustment than macro deterioration.

Conclusion: The Rupee Is Not a Scoreboard — It’s a Stabilizer

A weakening currency can absolutely indicate an economy in distress. But India’s macro picture—based on:

• CAD improving to ~0.7% of GDP in FY23–24
• forex reserves ~USD 676B with ~11 months import cover (Apr 2025)
• recently low/moderating inflation prints
• and the reality of a global USD cycle (DXY)

…does not fit the template of a deteriorating economy. Instead, the Rupee’s movement is best seen as:

• a managed variable in a long-term growth strategy, not
• a standalone verdict on economic health

Because the real objective is not a “strong Rupee headline.” The objective is a globally competitive India with:

• export strength
• industrial depth
• macro resilience
• long-term investment credibility

And the exchange rate is one of the tools used to balance that.

2026 Maharashtra Civic Body Elections: An Analytical Summary

 

2026 Maharashtra Civic Body Elections: An Analytical Summary

The Maharashtra civic body elections held in January 2026, covering 29 municipal corporations including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), resulted in a clear victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. Beyond seat counts, the outcomes indicate a structural shift in urban voting behaviour, with implications for ideology, governance preferences, and the relevance of regional and dynastic political models.

The results can be understood through the following key themes:

Multi-Dimensional Polarisation in Urban Voting

a) Religious and Ideological Polarisation: Urban voting patterns reflected a consolidation of voters around a Hindutva-oriented ideological framework, particularly among middle-class and aspirational urban segments. This consolidation reduced vote fragmentation in many cities and benefited parties associated with a clear ideological identity. At the same time, minority-dominated localities showed counter-polarisation, with voters gravitating toward parties explicitly representing religious or community interests, rather than broad-based secular parties.

b) Development and Governance as a Validation Factor: Alongside ideology, voters appeared to use development, infrastructure delivery, and governance continuity as validation criteria. The campaign narrative linking ideology with service delivery (“development with stability”) resonated in large urban corporations. This was reflected in:

• The Mahayuti alliance winning 25 of 29 municipal corporations
• Surpassing the majority mark in the BMC, ending a three-decade incumbency
• The results suggest that for many urban voters, governance performance and alignment with state and central governments outweighed legacy political loyalties
• This clearly vindicated that people prefer, “a triple-engine-sarkar” than a “troubled-engine-sarkar”

c) Regional and Ethnic Identity Losing Urban Salience: Traditional Marathi regional identity–based mobilization, which historically shaped Mumbai and parts of Western Maharashtra, appeared less decisive in this election. Urban voters showed a preference for administrative efficiency, scale, and political alignment across levels of government over region-specific identity narratives.

Declining Electoral Returns for Dynastic Politics

A notable feature of the results was voter fatigue with family-centric and legacy-driven political leadership, particularly in urban areas. Established political families that once exercised strong influence faced reduced electoral traction. Long-standing urban strongholds associated with dynastic leadership changed hands. Even where factions attempted consolidation, voter support did not automatically transfer. This suggests that name recognition alone was insufficient without a compelling governance or ideological proposition.

Consolidation of National Parties in Urban Local Bodies

• Vertical Alignment of Power: Voters appeared receptive to the idea of policy and administrative continuity across central, state, and local governments. This “vertical alignment” reduced perceived friction in project execution and urban infrastructure delivery. As a result,
• The BJP emerged as the single largest party across corporation
• National parties strengthened their presence in urban governance, traditionally dominated by regional forces

• Opposition Fragmentation: While the Congress marginally improved its seat count in some areas, opposition votes remained distributed across multiple parties, limiting their competitiveness against a consolidated ruling alliance.

• Emergence of Minority- and Community-Focused Parties in Specific Pockets: While national and alliance politics dominated most urban centres, community-specific parties gained ground in select municipalities:
• In cities with concentrated minority populations, voters shifted from mainstream secular parties to explicitly identity-based political platform
• This resulted in the erosion of traditional minority vote banks previously held by larger opposition parties
• The presence of multiple minority-focused parties further fragmented opposition support in these areas
• These outcomes indicate a localized but clear trend toward identity-specific political representation, particularly where voters felt underrepresented by broader coalitions.

Broader Implications: Taken together, the 2026 civic elections highlight:

• Ideological consolidation in urban voting
• Reduced effectiveness of dynastic and legacy politics
• A preference for governance continuity and development alignment
• Increasing polarisation along both majority and minority identity lines
• The weakening of regional parties in large metropolitan governance
• Rather than a single-factor shift, the results reflect a recalibration of urban voter priorities, where identity, development, and governance efficiency intersect—often reinforcing polarisation, but also redefining political legitimacy in urban Maharashtra.

Maharashtra’s Urban Vote Is Changing — And It’s Not Just About Politics

The 2026 civic body elections in Maharashtra were not merely a contest for municipal seats. They were a referendum on how urban voters now define leadership, legitimacy, and governance. Across 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, voters sent a clear message: traditional political formulas are no longer enough.

 

Beyond Left vs Right: The New Urban Polarisation

Urban Maharashtra is witnessing a new kind of polarisation. It is not driven only by religion or ideology, nor only by development promises. Instead, voters are increasingly aligning along three intersecting expectations:

• Cultural and ideological clarity
• Tangible governance outcomes
• Rejection of inherited political entitlement
• This convergence has reduced ambiguity in voting behaviour and rewarded parties offering a coherent narrative that combines identity with delivery.

 

Development as a Stamp of Approval

• For many voters, development was less about future promises and more about continuity and credibility. The idea that aligned governments across levels can deliver faster outcomes resonated strongly in cities grappling with infrastructure stress, mobility challenges, and housing pressures.
• Urban voters appear to be voting not just for a party—but for a system they believe can execute.

 

The Urban Fatigue with Dynastic Politics

• One of the clearest signals from these elections was the declining appeal of family-centric political dominance. Long-standing urban strongholds built on legacy leadership no longer proved immune to change.
• This does not imply a rejection of regional identity—but rather a demand that identity be backed by performance and relevance.

Minority Politics Is Also Being Redefined

• In select cities, minority voters shifted away from traditional umbrella parties toward formations that promised direct representation. While limited in geographic scope, this trend underscores a deeper question: Who truly speaks for whom in urban India?
• Fragmentation may offer voice, but it also risks weakening collective bargaining power.

 

What This Means Going Forward

• Urban Maharashtra’s politics is becoming:
• More performance-driven
• Less sentimental about legacy
• More polarised, but also more decisive
• For political parties, the lesson is clear: clarity beats ambiguity, delivery beats lineage, and relevance beats nostalgia.

The 2026 civic elections were not just about who won local bodies. They were about how urban India is quietly rewriting the rules of political legitimacy.

When the so-called Genius Speaks, Responsibility Must Follow

 

When Genius Speaks, Responsibility Must Follow

A Critical Look at A.R. Rahman’s “Power Shift” Remarks

In January 2026, celebrated music composer A.R. Rahman stirred controversy by suggesting that his reduced presence in Hindi cinema over the past eight years was due to a “power shift” — and hinted that non-creative forces now control key decisions in the industry. He also alluded, albeit indirectly, to uncomfortable undercurrents influencing project allocations.

Before reacting emotionally, it’s worth unpacking what was said — and what remains questionable.

The Core Claims — And the Questions They Raise

Reduced Work & a Creative “Power Shift”: Rahman suggested that fewer opportunities came his way because decision-making power has moved away from creative minds.

Doesn’t it sound like, “these grapes are sour…”  This argument invites scrutiny. Creativity is inherently subjective. Who defines it, and by what measure? If non-selection automatically implies a decline in creative judgment, where does that leave artists whose work itself has faced criticism — including accusations of repetition, excessive digital reliance, or stylistic “inspirations” from global composers? 

A changing industry does not always indicate declining standards; sometimes, it simply reflects changing tastes. This is what has happened in the 90’s when he entered the scenario! Other composers never blamed on lack of creativity! 

The “Communal” Angle: He hinted that some projects initially discussed with him were later handed to other composers due to preferences exercised by music companies.

This is where the narrative becomes fragile. Without clear evidence, such implications risk sounding speculative. Commercial studios routinely make decisions based on budgets, timelines, audience appeal, and branding — not all exclusions require deeper subtexts. 

Kettle calling the pot black? People are aware of Rahman’s behaviour with lyricist Piraisoodan on his religious practices and also insisted him to reword the lyrics when it was not aligning with the sentiments of the religion Rahman followed! Kangana too tweeted a similar experience she had with him. Can he say Who is communal?

One can empathize Rahman. A religious-convert has to prove his loyalty to the converted faith from time and again. So, they pretend to be more orthodox than the originals. This is one such syndrome!

“Chinese Whispers” as Explanation: Rahman clarified that none of these issues were directly communicated to him, but reached him through informal channels.

This admission weakens the argument further. If sources are unclear and unverified, why elevate them to public discourse? In an era of instant amplification, ambiguity can easily become misinformation.

When claims are based on hearsay, public disclosure raises more questions than it answers.

Philosophy on Work & Ironies of Change: Rahman stated he doesn’t chase work and prefers opportunities to come organically — even joking that fewer projects allow more family time.

Fair enough. But this sits uneasily alongside his role in accelerating digital music production — a shift that transformed the industry and displaced many traditional musicians. Change, after all, cuts both ways. If evolution was acceptable then, it must be accepted now.

Contextual Contradictions

On “Chhaava” and Historical Sensitivity: Rahman described Chhaava as a divisive film but defended his intent.

Yet critics point out that the music bore little relationship to the film’s historical period or cultural context. When background scores feel disconnected from narrative and setting, audience and industry scepticism is inevitable.

Language, Career, and Choice: Rahman spoke about learning Hindi and Urdu to sustain his career.

That’s neither unusual nor controversial. Artists adapt to markets; markets reward adaptability. This is pragmatism, not sacrifice — and it shouldn’t be reframed otherwise.

The Aftermath: Damage Control or Reflection? - Following the backlash, Rahman released a video stating his intentions were misunderstood and reaffirming his love for India, multiculturalism, and his upcoming projects like Ramayana and Gandhi.

Intentions aside, public figures must recognize that words — especially vague ones — carry consequences. Influence magnifies responsibility.

A Closing Thought

In public life, admiration and criticism coexist. Legends are not diminished by silence, but by defensiveness. The industry that once elevated an artist can also move on — not out of malice, but momentum.

Instead of framing professional decline as external injustice, perhaps the more enduring response lies in reinvention, relevance, and renewed musical courage.

History remembers those who adapt — not those who complain about the tide.