Playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya recently made headlines after expressing disappointment over the way renowned composer AR Rahman allegedly treated senior artists. He claimed that Rahman would often make respected musicians and songwriters wait for hours at his studio without even meeting them. Abhijeet said he was shocked by what he felt was a lack of respect, especially toward Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardees.
Speaking to ANI, Abhijeet shared his experience while recording the song Ae Nazneen Suno Na for the 1999 film Dil Hi Dil Mein, which had music composed entirely by Rahman. He recalled being at the studio and seeing several celebrated artists, including national award recipients, waiting for hours. According to him, these dignified individuals were made to sit on a bench downstairs as Rahman did not come down to meet them.
Abhijeet said, “Rahman saab ke andar kya hai ki… maine aise-aise Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri walo ko neeche bench pe baithe hue dekha hai… humare colleague, South ke writer-filmmaker… Rahman saab utar hi nahin rahe hain neeche do ghante, teen ghante. Sab ek doosre se gappe laga rahe hain. Maine apni ghadi dekha ki jaldi karo. Phir Rahman saab nahi utre.”
He went on to add, “Main gaana gaa ke nikal gaya, uske assistant ne record kar liya. Ae Nazneen Suno Na… ye gaana gaya. Aur gaa ke nikal gaya. You have to believe that ki ye ek Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan ki izzat wahan pe hai.”
In India, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan are among the highest civilian honors, given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields. Interestingly, AR Rahman himself was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2010.
Abhijeet and Rahman have only worked together once, on Ae Nazneen Suno Na, and this behind-the-scenes story reveals the strained tone of that collaboration.
