India, Jan. 23 -- Singer Rabbi Shergill has said that the arrival of AR Rahman in the film music scene changed the dynamics of Hindi cinema's soundtracks, and not always for the better. The singer said that after Rahman, 'lyrics became secondary', which led to a reduction in the focus on expression.

Speaking on Divas Gupta's podcast, the singer praised Rahman as a genius, but added how his arrival in Bollywood in the 90s shifted the focus in film music from lyrics and poetry to beats and rhythm. "I admire Rahman for his creative genius. He is a genius. There is no doubt about it. But Rahman phase is not pro poetry or pro lyrics phase in Hindi film industry. I feel after Rahman came, the lyrics in the Hindi film industry became secondary,...