Gladwin Emmanuel (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 24, 2018)

In a cautiously worded statement, music maestro A R Rahman has pledged his support to the women coming forward to out their tormentors. Stating that he has been observing the #MeToo movement, the Academy Award-winning musician expressed shock over some of the names, both of the perpetrators and the survivors, that have come out in the open.

Rahman’s ‘shock’ is understandable considering a revelation in Kollywood relates to Chinmayi Sripaada who started her career singing for Rahman in Mani Ratnam’s 2002 film Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Chinmayi had charged lyricist Vairamuthu — recipient of Padma Awards — of sexual misconduct. The Rahman-Vairamuthu duo had delivered several hits in Tamil. His sister, singer-composer A R Rehman recently, revealed that she has heard several accounts about lyricist Vairamuthu’s behaviour, though she herself has not faced any such harassment.

“I would love to see our industry become cleaner and respectful of women...More power to all the victims coming forward!” he applauded, making it clear that he and his team are committed to creating a safe creative space that brings out the best and helps individuals evolve and succeed. Meanwhile, even as the social media is offering greater freedom for victims to speak up, Rahman urged caution in creating a new internet justice system in case it’s misused.