In an explosive revelation that lifts the lid on years of family tension and professional rivalry, composer Amaal Mallik has opened up about the struggles his father, Daboo Malik, faced within the music industry—allegedly at the hands of his own brother, Anu Malik. From claims of career sabotage and betrayal to deeply personal admissions about depression and strained family ties, Amaal’s candid interview paints a raw and emotional portrait of ambition, legacy, and what it takes to rewrite a narrative built on years of professional hurt.In a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal opened up about the complex relationship between his father Daboo Malik and uncle Anu Malik. While describing them as inseparable “mad brothers” on a personal level, Amaal revealed a different story professionally. He claimed that Anu Malik’s jealousy often turned intense, leading him to sabotage Daboo Malik’s career. According to Amaal, Anu would undercut his father by offering to work on films for minimal fees—or even for free—just to prove he was the superior composer in the family.The composer further claimed that Anu Malik and even composer duo Sajid-Wajid played a role in sabotaging his father Daboo Malik’s career. He said Daboo faced betrayal from within the family and the music industry, which deeply affected him and became the reason Amaal was determined to succeed.He also further revealed that filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt had almost finalised Daboo Malik for the music of Murder, but Anu Malik allegedly stepped in and took over the project—one of many instances, according to Amaal, where his father’s work was undercut. These repeated professional setbacks deeply affected Daboo, pushing him into depression between the ages of 32 and 45. Amaal, who witnessed this as a child, said it became his driving force to succeed in music. He shared that despite working on over 70 films, Daboo was never given due credit and was often referred to merely as “Anu Malik’s brother.” Amaal added that his mission has always been to change that narrative, so that people instead recognise Anu as the uncle of Armaan and Amaal Mallik.Amaal further alleged that Anu Malik didn’t just interfere in his father Daboo Malik’s career but has tried to undercut his work too. He claimed that Anu often inserts himself into projects Amaal is associated with, even after public announcements. Despite this, Amaal acknowledged that Anu has shown him respect and praised his achievements. The difficult history between Anu and Daboo deeply influenced Amaal’s own approach to family ties—leading him and his brother, singer Armaan Malik, to make a conscious decision to never become professional rivals.Opening up about his equation with Anu Malik, he revealed that while he remains respectful in public settings, their relationship is strained due to past professional conflicts. He admitted he shares no personal bond with Anu’s family and hasn’t met them in years, even choosing to skip social gatherings. Though Anu Malik did attend Armaan’s wedding, Amaal clarified that their dynamic is more of a professional rivalry than a personal one.The composer also addressed the sexual harassment allegations made against Anu Malik during the MeToo movement. He stated that he chose not to speak up or support Anu at the time, as he does not consider him family and was deeply embarrassed by the accusations. Emphasizing that they never shared a personal bond, Amaal said he believes there could be some truth to the claims, pointing out that multiple women coming forward likely indicates more than just coincidence.Mallik recalled a moment when his father asked if he feared being named in the MeToo movement. He assured him there was no reason to worry, stating he could never be the kind of person who demands physical favours in exchange for work. Amaal added that every female artist he has collaborated with has always felt safe around him.
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