UAE filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja defends AR Rahman amid backlash over Chhaava and ‘communal’ remark, ‘National treasures deserve respect, not noise’

Music composer AR Rahman recently found himself at the centre of a social media storm following remarks he made during an interview. The backlash erupted after Rahman described Chhaava as a “divisive” film and suggested that a “communal” shift in Bollywood’s power dynamics had resulted in him getting less work over the past eight years. While his comments drew criticism online, the composer issued a clarification reaffirming his love for India. Now, UAE filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja has publicly come out in his support.