Rahman shocked by #MeToo perpetrators, but calls for restraint in 'internet justice'

MUMBAI: Music maestro AR Rahman, whose long-time collaborator Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu has been accused of harassment by multiple women, took to Twitter to comment on India's raging #MeToo movement.

While the 51-year-old Oscar-winning composer said that he was 'shocked by some of the names' and emphasised on the need to have a safe creative work environment, he did add that people should be careful before creating a "internet justice system".

"Been observing the #MeToo movement... Some of the names have shocked me... both the victims and their perpetrators... I would love to see our industry become cleaner and respectful of women... More power to all the victims coming forward!!


"In all my endeavours, my team and I are committed to creating an environment where everyone finds a safe creative space to bring their best, evolve and succeed," he wrote.

"Social media offers great freedom for victims to speak up, however we should be careful in creating a new internet justice system, in case it's misused."


Just a day earlier, Rahman's sister AR Raihanah said in an interview to 'The News Minute', that while she had heard several stories about Vairamuthu's behaviour, he had always treated her with dignity.

Raihanah said, “Several women have told me about Vairamuthu. It is an open secret and a lot of people have faced it. I never come across such things because I behave in a dignified manner. Most of them are scared to talk to me in such a case."

She went on to add, “I have not faced it personally. He has behaved with great dignity to me in the few meetings that we have had. How can I blame him? What right do I have? Whoever has experienced harassment must report it. I once met him in a function and said his lyrics were very good and he smiled in a respectful manner.”

Vairamuthu has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, including popular singer Chinmayi Sripaada.

The ongoing #MeToo movement in India has brought many music industry veterans under its radar including Anu Malik, Raghu Dixit, and Abhijeet Bhattacharya. The movement gained momentum in the country after former actress Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of harassing her during the shooting of the film 'Horn Ok Pleassss' in 2008.