Ram Gopal Varma Breaks Silence on ‘Jai Ho’ Row, Calls AR Rahman the ‘Greatest Composer’

| Published: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 10:39 [IST]

A resurfaced interview clip was all it took to reignite debate around one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated songs. As conversations around AR Rahman’s recent industry remarks gained momentum, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma found himself at the center of renewed controversy over the Oscar-winning Jai Ho. Now, the director has stepped forward to clarify his words, firmly defending Rahman’s legacy and calling him one of the greatest composers the country has ever produced.

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How an Old Clip Sparked a Fresh Debate

The controversy erupted after a past interview of Ram Gopal Varma began circulating again on social media. In the clip, the filmmaker appeared to suggest that singer Sukhwinder Singh had composed Jai Ho, rather than AR Rahman. The statement quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from fans and music lovers, especially given the song’s iconic status following its global success in Slumdog Millionaire.

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The Story Behind the Viral Narrative

In the interview, Varma narrated an incident linked to Subhash Ghai’s film Yuvraaj, describing tensions over delayed compositions and a song that eventually found its way into international cinema. His recollection led many to believe that Rahman had merely passed on credit. However, this version of events had already been countered earlier by Sukhwinder Singh himself, who clarified that he only lent his voice to Jai Ho and that the composition was Rahman’s.

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RGV Issues a Public Clarification

As the clip resurfaced and online speculation intensified, Ram Gopal Varma took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight. He stated that his comments were being taken out of context and emphasized his admiration for Rahman. According to Varma, Rahman is not only an extraordinary composer but also one of the most ethical and kind-hearted individuals he has worked with, stressing that the musician would never deny anyone their rightful credit.

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Netizens React to the Clarification

The clarification triggered mixed reactions online. While some users welcomed Varma’s statement and called for an end to misinformation, others revisited the original clip to dissect its intent. Several fans came out strongly in support of Rahman, reminding audiences that both Rahman and Sukhwinder Singh have consistently acknowledged each other’s contributions to the song.

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AR Rahman, Legacy, and the Larger Conversation

The renewed discussion arrives at a time when AR Rahman has already been in the spotlight following his remarks about changing dynamics in the Hindi film industry. Despite the noise, Rahman continues to move forward professionally, currently collaborating with international composer Hans Zimmer on Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious Ramayana. Through it all, the Jai Ho episode serves as a reminder of how quickly narratives can shift–and why context remains crucial when discussing creative legacies.

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