Music directors Anu Malik and Daboo Malik, born to music director Sardar Malik, are brothers but over the years, there have been many conversations about professional and sibling rivalry. In a new interview, Daboo’s son Amaal Mallik opened up about the same and accused Anu of stealing his father’s work, that led to his depression.
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal Mallik shared, “When Daboo Malik and Anu Malik meet, you can’t separate them. They are like mad brothers. But, in the professional dynamics and jealousy, Anu Malik can get a little fiery. They have had issues with each other on the professional front. Anu Malik was overly competitive with my father. 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 by offering to work for little money or even free.”
He added, “It was Anu Malik’s wrongdoings that made me want to prove myself. Not just Anu Malik, even Sajid-Wajid sabotaged my dad’s career. They would play games. My dad was betrayed by his own family and friends from the music industry. My dad was too naive to fight back.”
Amaal shared that Mahesh Bhatt was all set to close a deal with his dad for the music of Murder when Anu Malik slyly stole it from him. He said it was just one of many projects that he took away from his father Daboo. These professional betrayals pushed Daboo in depression. Amaal shared, “My dad dealt with depression from the age of 32 to 45. I noted all down in my soul. I was a kid. Things got imprinted. I started to work at 16 and my only motivation was to take revenge with my music. The industry couldn’t understand his talent and niceness. They didn’t support him. He saw a lot of lows in his life. He has worked on at least 70 films but nobody ever invited him. He was often addressed as Anu Malik’s brother… He’s struggling. I just wanted to rip off the struggling tag from him. 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.”
Amaal then claimed that Anu used his tactics on him as well. “Not just my father’s work, but Anu Malik is behind my work as well. A lot of times when I make announcements, he jumps into that as well. He competes with me too. But, at least he respects me and tells me I have done some tremendous work.” The tragic rivalry between Daboo and Anu shaped Amaal’s bond with his singer brother Armaan. “Armaan and I decided to never become professional rivals.”
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Speaking about his personal dynamics with his uncle, Amaal shared, “I am respectful towards him when I see him in public. But after knowing his wrongdoings, I am not in good terms with him.” He added, “I don’t have any relationship with his family. I haven’t met them in years. I don’t attend parties. They were invited for Armaan’s wedding. They had come too. It is more like professional rivalry.”
Amaal also shared his opinion on the sexual harassment accusations against Anu Malik. He said, “I didn’t talk or support Anu Malik when he was accused during the MeToo movement. It was not my concern because I don’t consider him my family. I was very embarrassed when he was accused of these things. We never had a relationship. But I think if so many people raised their voice against him, I believe there must be some truth to it. Why would people come and say it otherwise? There is no smoke without fire. Five people can’t talk against the same person.”
He added, “Once my dad asked me if I too will be dragged in this movement. I said, there is no chance. I can never be the person who will ask for physical favours in return of songs. All the girls worked with me have felt safe.”
