AR Rahman Unveils New Track 'Mayile' as Controversy Swirls
Music maestro AR Rahman has just released a fresh new song. The track titled 'Mayile' comes from the upcoming Tamil film Moonwalk. This release arrives right in the middle of a significant online storm. Rahman is currently facing intense backlash for his recent remarks about the Hindi film industry.
Timing Sparks Mixed Reactions Online
The Oscar-winning composer shared the audio version of 'Mayile' on his social media platforms this Saturday. He invited his followers to listen and share their thoughts. "Mayile – Audio Song from Moonwalk. Enjoy Listening. And tell me if you like it," he wrote in his post.
He also credited singer Joel Joe and lyricist Vishnu Edavan for their work on the song. Rahman added a note about the film itself, calling it a "Full length Comedy movie" set for theatrical release in May 2026.
However, the timing of this musical drop did not go unnoticed. Some social media users questioned the move. One user on platform X suggested the release was strategically timed to capitalize on the ongoing controversy for maximum attention.
Yet, many fans rushed to defend the composer. They praised his unwavering focus on his craft. "Love @arrahman's focus," wrote one supporter. "While the rest of us spend hours defending our genius, he's focused on music as he always is. We're blessed to be born in Rahman's era."
The Song's Message and the Film's Details
'Mayile' is described as an upbeat, anthemic track. Its lyrics encourage listeners to stay strong and keep smiling through adversity. The song promotes courage, letting go of troubles, and finding joy in the present moment. Rap verses within the song emphasize themes of resilience and self-belief.
The film Moonwalk marks a highly anticipated reunion. It brings AR Rahman back together with actor and dancer Prabhu Deva. The duo is legendary for creating iconic dance numbers like "Urvashi Urvashi" and "Muqabla Muqabla."
In an interesting twist, Rahman will also appear on screen in the movie. He is set to play an extended cameo role as an angry filmmaker. This character, fittingly, is also named A.R. Rahman.
The Root of the Backlash
The controversy stems from comments Rahman made in a recent interview with BBC Asian Network. He suggested a power shift in the Hindi music industry over the last eight years might be linked to "communal" factors.
"People who are not creative have the power now to decide things," Rahman stated. "And this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers."
These remarks ignited a firestorm on social media. They led to widespread criticism and debate about inclusivity and power dynamics within Bollywood's music scene. The backlash has been fierce and sustained across various online platforms.
Despite the uproar, Rahman continues his work. The release of 'Mayile' shows he is pushing forward with his artistic projects. The composer is navigating the controversy while still engaging with his audience through his primary language: music.
