January 21, 2026: Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) has stepped forward to clear the air after an old interview of his reignited debate around the authorship of Jai Ho, the globally celebrated song from Slumdog Millionaire. The discussion resurfaced when a clip from the interview circulated online, suggesting that singer Sukhwinder Singh, and not composer AR Rahman, had created the track that later won an Academy Award.
As the video gained traction, Varma issued a clarification on social media platform X, stressing that his earlier remarks were being misunderstood. He firmly reiterated his admiration for AR Rahman, calling him “the greatest composer” he has worked with and describing him as a person who would never deprive anyone of due credit. Varma added that his words had been taken out of context and expressed hope that his statement would bring an end to the negativity surrounding the issue.
RGV Steps In as AR Rahman’s Oscar Song Faces New Scrutiny
The controversy stems from RGV’s recollection of a series of events involving AR Rahman, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, and Sukhwinder Singh during the making of Ghai’s film Yuvvraaj. In the interview, Varma narrated how delays in music delivery led to a tense meeting at Sukhwinder Singh’s studio. According to Varma, Rahman listened to a composition played by Sukhwinder and sought feedback from Ghai, which reportedly angered the filmmaker.
RGV further claimed that Rahman calmly explained his role, emphasizing that producers primarily pay for his creative brand and musical direction rather than every technical note. He alleged that Rahman later asked Sukhwinder to complete the track and send it to him, and that the song eventually found its way into Slumdog Millionaire. Varma even mentioned a payment allegedly sent to Sukhwinder as his “share” after the song’s international success.
However, these claims were quickly countered by Sukhwinder Singh himself. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the singer dismissed the idea that he composed Jai Ho, clarifying that his contribution was limited strictly to singing the song. He suggested that Varma may have been misinformed, while acknowledging the filmmaker’s stature and credibility.
Despite the renewed debate, official credits remain unchanged. AR Rahman is recognized worldwide as the composer of Jai Ho, while Sukhwinder Singh is credited as its powerful voice. The song went on to achieve historic success, earning the Academy Award for Best Original Song and cementing Rahman’s place on the global music stage.
While social media continues to dissect past statements, Varma’s latest clarification appears aimed at putting the matter to rest, reaffirming Rahman’s contribution and legacy in one of cinema’s most iconic soundtracks.