Playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who is famous for his association with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, recently sparked controversy with his remarks on Mahatma Gandhi during a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra.
The singer claimed, “Music composer R. D. Burman was bigger than Mahatma Gandhi. Like Mahatma Gandhi was the father of the nation, R. D. Burman was the father of the nation in the world of music.” He further added, “Mahatma Gandhi was the father of the nation for Pakistan, not India. India already existed; Pakistan was carved out of India later. Gandhi has been mistakenly called the father of the nation for India. He was the one responsible for the existence of Pakistan.”
The comments have drawn sharp criticism, as Gandhi is widely recognized for his leadership in India’s independence movement, promoting nonviolence and inspiring global civil rights efforts.
During the same interview, Abhijeet lauded Shah Rukh Khan, describing him as “in a different class” but dismissed Salman Khan, stating, “Salman abhi bhi unme nahi aata ke mai uske baare me charcha karu” (Salman is still not at a level where I can talk about him).
When asked about his experiences with the two stars, Abhijeet admitted to professional disagreements with both but emphasized that his issues with Shah Rukh Khan were strictly work-related. He further shared an anecdote about working on the hit song “Tan Tana Tan” from Judwaa, revealing he was unaware Salman Khan was the lead actor in the film. “Trust me, I didn’t know Salman was in the movie,” he said, explaining that he had assumed the song was for Govinda due to David Dhawan’s frequent collaborations with the comedy star.
In a pointed remark, Abhijeet said, “Salman duaon pe chalta rehta hai” (Salman survives on blessings), contrasting him with Shah Rukh Khan, whom he praised for his professionalism and unique stature in the industry.
The singer’s statements have reignited debates about his bold opinions on Bollywood’s leading stars and historical figures, leaving fans and critics polarized.