A school level #MeToo movement has taken Tamil Nadu by storm and at the center of it is a Chennai based school, Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB). Founded by actor YG Mahendran's mother, the school has long been infamous for 'kicking out' a student named Dileep Kumar, whom the world knows today as the BAFTA, OSCAR, Grammy and 6-time National award winning musician A.R. Rahman. 

The story has now made a comeback on social media as a testament to PSBB's notorious ways, and several alumni have shared how A.R. Rahman has clearly not forgotten what the school did to him several years ago. It is no secret that after A.R. Rahman's father's untimely demise, the then Dileep Kumar had to start working while still in school to support his family.

When Rahman couldn't manage both school and a full-time work, he dropped out. Years later Rahman would reveal that of the many abuses he received at PSBB, the one he remembers the most is his mother being told, "Take your son to the platforms of Kodambakkam streets, maybe people will put money." 

Rahman has also spoken in the media of how his school used to segregate the 'vegetarians' and 'non-vegetarians' and that he associates PSBB to both good and 'bad' memories. Ironically PSBB and its founder have long tried to white-wash these incidents by making him a Chief guest at their school or appearing in his interviews, but eagle eyed fans have not missed how Rahman has dealt with these attempts. 

While trying to take credit, YGP pointedly referred to him as "Dileep", if I remember correctly.

— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) May 24, 2021

He has performed in Qatar on a Friday evening, and just paused when the adhan played. And then continued. He didn’t leave the stage. I would like to believe he wanted to rub this in that casteist bigot’s face.

— Vani Saraswathi (@vanish_forever) May 24, 2021

And she put the blame on few teachers for not understanding his family situation and being harsh at him.

— tro lee (@trolee_) May 24, 2021

It's so obvious & visible ARR had bitter school experience.
His words - Good & Bad Memories, Learnt only after school, life taught me lessons, sharing breakfast sometimes, we are non-veg, brahminical culture .. https://t.co/AWRPfCnRJf

— tคrคຖi (@tara_views) May 25, 2021

Suhasini is hellbent on attributing his language & decorum to PSBB.
தலைவர் ஸ்கூல விட வெளிய கத்துக்கிட்டதுதான் அதிகம்னு முடிச்சு விட்டாரு.. 😂😂 https://t.co/K8NRDKIkbK

— O2DeGe (@Holyhemp1) May 24, 2021

How specifically "they" are addressing him as Dilip and not Rahman

🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 https://t.co/slFKrSYbja

— Lost Soul (@SoulaceV) May 24, 2021

The teachers of #PSBB school had said some cruel things to @arrahman
But now all they do is preach that he is their student! 🙄 #psbbschool 🤮 https://t.co/xl4HSr7q0H

— Vaan (@SavageLeeCoop) May 24, 2021

Ongomma vaaipu kudukkama ponadhu naala than inaiku avaru ivlo periya aal aanaru
Anga padichirundha inaiku enna ayduparo

— Subomani (@subo27696) May 24, 2021

நாங்க ஃபீஸ் கட்ட முடியலனு அசிங்கப்படுத்தி தொரத்தி விட்டுட்டோம். அப்டி தொரத்தலன்னா அவர் இப்ப இவ்ளோ பெரிய மியூசிக் டைரக்டர் ஆகியிருக்க முடியுமா. இல்ல ஆஸ்கர் தான் வாங்கியிருக்க முடியுமா? இதுக்கும் எங்க ஸ்கூல்தான் காரணம்! pic.twitter.com/A4VWZoO9Gk

— Gurubaai 🌻 (@ItsGurubaai) May 25, 2021