'Dad was betrayed by his family': Anu Malik's nephew Amaal claims music composer 'sabotaged' father Daboo's career

Time of India

13-07-2025

Amaal Mallik
, son of music director
Daboo Malik
and nephew of composer
Anu Malik
, has spoken candidly about the underlying tensions within his musically renowned family. Despite their shared legacy as sons of the late composer Sardar Malik, the two brothers, Daboo and Anu, have often found themselves at odds. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal unveiled painful truths about the strained professional relationship between the brothers and how those experiences shaped his own musical journey.
Sibling Bond Masked by Rivalry
While the public might perceive Daboo and Anu Malik as being close-knit, Amaal clarified that their brotherly connection was complicated by fierce
professional competition
. He described their bond as emotionally intense, yet riddled with jealousy and competitiveness on the work front.
According to Amaal, Anu Malik constantly sought to outshine Daboo Malik, not out of hatred, but from an overwhelming desire to establish himself as the dominant figure in the musical lineage of their family. This obsessive need for validation led Anu to allegedly interfere with Daboo's career, often approaching film producers and offering to score music at minimal fees or even for free—just to replace his own brother.
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"Anu Malik was overly competitive with my father. He wanted to prove that he was the best composer from his family and often tried to sabotage my dad's career, "he claimed.
Sabotage From Within the Industry
Amaal's revelations didn't stop at his uncle. He claimed that other music professionals, notably the duo Sajid-Wajid, also contributed to derailing Daboo Malik's progress. He expressed deep resentment over how his father's own circle failed him. According to Amaal, Daboo's kind nature made him vulnerable, and he was unable to resist the manipulative moves played by people he once trusted. These repeated betrayals from both relatives and friends within the industry led to immense professional setbacks.
"My dad was betrayed by his own family and friends from the
music industry
. My dad was too naive to fight back..." he said.
The 'Murder' Project and Emotional Fallout
One of the most painful incidents Amaal recounted involved filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Amaal alleged that Daboo was about to be signed on for the music of the film Murder, but Anu Malik swooped in and took over the project using underhanded means. This was just one example, Amaal said, of how his father lost out on major opportunities. These continued blows led Daboo into a state of depression, which, according to Amaal, lasted from the age of 32 to 45. Amaal, who was a child during this period, shared that these events left a permanent mark on him. Witnessing his father's emotional decline fueled his ambition to restore the family's dignity through music.
Motivated by Vengeance and a Desire to Uplift
Amaal began his music career at the age of 16, driven by the singular purpose of redeeming his father's reputation. He felt that the industry never recognized Daboo's potential and constantly compared him to Anu Malik. Despite having worked on nearly 70 films, Daboo was largely ignored and was often identified only in relation to his more famous brother. Amaal revealed that his biggest goal was to remove that 'struggling' label attached to his father. He wanted the world to know his father not as Anu Malik's brother, but as the proud uncle of Amaal and Armaan—two artists who made their mark on their own terms.
History Repeats: Anu's Competitive Edge Persists
Interestingly, Amaal mentioned that even he was not spared from Anu Malik's competitive instincts. On multiple occasions, he claimed, Anu inserted himself into projects Amaal had publicly announced. Although Amaal acknowledged that his uncle now shows him respect and recognizes his musical achievements, the lingering tension remains. He maintained that while he remains civil in public, his personal opinion of Anu has been severely affected due to past actions.
Amaal Distances Himself from Controversies
When the MeToo movement hit India, Anu Malik was among those accused of inappropriate behavior by several women. Amaal made it clear that he deliberately chose not to support or defend his uncle. He explained that he never felt a familial connection with Anu and considered himself detached from his controversies. In fact, he admitted to feeling ashamed when those allegations surfaced and said that the number of women speaking out suggested some truth behind the claims. He questioned why multiple individuals would independently accuse the same person if there were no basis to the charges.
Daboo's Caution to His Sons
Amaal also revealed that his father, given the toxic experiences he endured in the industry, once warned him about the possibility of facing false accusations, a concern many artists live with. Though Amaal has worked extensively with female collaborators, he believes in maintaining integrity and transparency in all his professional relationships.
Through these revelations, Amaal not only shed light on the challenges his father faced but also the emotional baggage passed down to him. His musical career, while successful, is driven by a deep-rooted desire to bring his father the recognition he was denied.