Music composer and singer Amaal Mallik has stirred controversy with candid remarks about strained family dynamics within the Malik household. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal shared his grievances against his uncle, celebrated music director Anu Malik, accusing him of sabotaging his father Daboo Malik’s professional growth.
Despite describing the brothers’ off-screen bond as affectionate, Amaal painted a contrasting picture of their industry rivalry. “When Daboo Malik and Anu Malik meet, you can’t separate them. They are like mad brothers,” he said. “But, in the professional dynamics and jealousy, Anu Malik can get a little fiery.”
Amaal didn’t mince words while describing the alleged professional sabotage. According to him, Anu Malik often undercut Daboo Malik by offering to work for little or no money, thus edging him out of projects. “He wanted to prove that he is the best composer from his family and often tried to sabotage my dad’s career. Every time my dad got a movie, he would go and snatch his work from the producers,” Amaal alleged.
Sajid-Wajid Also Betrayed Daboo Malik, Claims Amaal
It wasn’t just Anu Malik who, according to Amaal, created roadblocks. The composer claimed that others in the industry, including composer duo Sajid-Wajid, also played a role in sidelining his father. “They would play games. My dad was betrayed by his own family and friends from the music industry,” Amaal said, adding that Daboo Malik was “too naive to fight back.”
The emotional toll was significant. Amaal revealed that his father battled depression between the ages of 32 and 45. That, he said, became the driving force behind his own musical ambitions: “I just wanted to rip off the struggling tag from him.”
Anu Malik Allegedly Interferes with Amaal’s Work Too
The alleged rivalry hasn’t been limited to Daboo Malik alone. Amaal claimed that Anu Malik continues to intrude upon his own projects. “A lot of times when I make announcements, he jumps into that as well. He competes with me too,” Amaal said. Despite the competition, he acknowledged, “At least he respects me and tells me I have done some tremendous work.”
Daboo Malik, though less celebrated than his brother, has scored music for several films including Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam. Amaal concluded by expressing his desire to shift the narrative around his family: “I just want to do something that people don’t address us as Anu Malik’s nephews, but introduce him as uncle of Armaan and Amaal.”