Music composer Amaal Mallik recently spoke out about the long-standing professional rivalry between his father, Daboo Malik, and uncle, Anu Malik, alleging that Anu sabotaged Daboo’s career and caused him immense distress.
A Family Divided by Professional Ambition
Amaal Mallik revealed that while his father Daboo and uncle Anu appear close personally, their professional dynamic was fraught with tension. According to Amaal, Anu Malik was intensely competitive, constantly seeking to outshine his brother and prove himself as the top composer in their family.
He claimed that Anu frequently tried to undermine Daboo’s career. This often involved snatching projects from his father by offering to work for minimal fees or even for free, directly impacting Daboo’s opportunities in the music industry.
The Heavy Price of Betrayal
Amaal asserted that these “wrongdoings” by Anu Malik, along with similar tactics from others like Sajid-Wajid, deeply affected his father. Daboo, described as “too naive to fight back,” faced constant betrayals from within his own family and industry circles.
One notable incident Amaal mentioned was the film *Murder*, where Mahesh Bhatt was reportedly set to sign Daboo for the music, but Anu Malik allegedly intervened and took the project. These repeated professional setbacks pushed Daboo into a severe depression, which lasted from the age of 32 to 45.
Witnessing his father’s struggles as a child deeply impacted Amaal. He began working at 16, driven by a strong desire to “take revenge with my music” and reclaim his father’s rightful recognition. His ambition was to ensure their family was no longer merely identified as “Anu Malik’s nephews” but as the independent talents they are.
A New Generation’s Vow
The alleged competition didn’t stop with Daboo. Amaal claims Anu Malik also tries to compete with his own work, often jumping into announcements he makes. However, Amaal notes that at least Anu now shows him some respect for his achievements.
The painful history between his father and uncle has shaped Amaal’s bond with his singer brother, Armaan. They made a conscious decision to never let professional rivalry come between them, learning from the past to protect their sibling relationship.
Distant Relations and MeToo Stance
Despite being family, Amaal maintains a formal but distant relationship with Anu Malik. He stated that he is “not in good terms with him” after learning about the past betrayals and has not had a close relationship with Anu’s immediate family for years.
Amaal also addressed the sexual harassment accusations against Anu Malik during the MeToo movement. He clarified that he did not support his uncle, stating he doesn’t consider him family. Amaal publicly expressed his belief that there must be truth to the allegations, emphasizing that “there is no smoke without fire” when multiple people raise similar concerns.
