Singer Chinmayi Sripada has come to the defense of music maestro AR Rahman amidst a social media controversy. She refuted claims that Rahman refused to sing 'Vande Mataram' during an interview. The controversy began after a journalist posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing hurt that Rahman allegedly declined to perform 'Vande Mataram' or 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' for half an hour during a past interview. Chinmayi, however, countered this allegation by stating that AR Rahman frequently performs his iconic patriotic song 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' (his rendition of 'Vande Mataram') at nearly all his concerts. She cited an instance where they both sang 'Vande Mataram' to a large crowd in Pune on November 23, 2025, and suggested that his refusal in the interview might have been due to other reasons, such as his voice not being at its best, rather than a lack of intent. Adding to the defense, actor Meerra Chopra, who is involved in Rahman's upcoming film 'Gandhi Talks', publicly supported him. She drew a comparison between Rahman and her cousin, Priyanka Chopra, highlighting that both have significantly elevated India's cultural presence on the global stage. This wave of support follows a period of scrutiny for Rahman, who recently faced backlash for his comments in a BBC Asian Network interview. In that interview, he hinted at a 'power shift' in the Hindi film industry and suggested potential 'communal reasons' for a reduction in his work in Bollywood over the last eight years. Rahman later issued a clarifying video statement, emphasizing his unwavering love for India and his commitment to fostering unity through his music. His album 'Vande Mataram' from 1997 remains a significant symbol of national pride.