'Kartik Aaryan is now being targeted like Sushant Singh Rajput': Singer Amaal Mallik makes shocking claims about Bollywood

Time of India

15 hours ago

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In a scathing revelation that has sent tremors through Bollywood circles, music composer and singer Amaal Mallik has alleged that some of the most powerful producers in the Hindi film industry are actively trying to sideline actor Kartik Aaryan echoing a chilling déjà vu of what happened to the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput In a candid interview with Mirchi Plus, Mallik did not mince words. "He's also a newcomer who has come in, done his bit. Usko bhi 100 log hatane ke firaaq mein hain" (There are hundreds of people who are waiting to push him out), he said, referring to Aaryan. "Power play karte hain. Sab kuch karte hain bade bade producers, actors" (Power games are played. Big producers and actors pull every trick in the book). According to the musician, Bollywood has long operated as a closed circle where those not aligned with power centres are systematically cornered.Mallik's strongest claims came when he compared Kartik's current struggles with the fate of Sushant Singh Rajput, who died by suicide in June 2020. "Sushant Singh Rajput ki death ne in logon ka sab cheen liya..." (Sushant Singh Rajput's death stripped everything from these people), he said. "Aaj aap dekho, wohi cheezein, indirectly ya directly Kartik Aaryan ke saath karne ka bhi try karte hain log" (Today you'll see people trying to do the same things, directly or indirectly, with Kartik Aaryan). "Woh bhi unhi problems se joojh ke, dance karte hue nikla hai, smile karte hue" (He too has battled the same problems, yet kept going—dancing and smiling).He further added that the entertainment industry is so dark that 'logo ki life chali gayi' (people have lost their lives because of it). Speaking about Sushant's demise, he remarked, "Jo bhi unke saath hua, some blame it as murder, some blame it as suicide. Jo bhi ho, aadmi toh chala gaya na" (Whatever happened—some say it was murder, others suicide—but the man is gone, isn't he?).Kartik Aaryan, who rose from outsider status to become one of the most bankable stars in Hindi cinema, has long been the subject of speculation about being dropped or replaced from high-profile projects. While he continues to deliver hits—most recently in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Chandu Champion—rumors around behind-the-scenes politics have often clouded his rise.Mallik's statement, therefore, is not just an opinion—it reinforces a public sentiment that Bollywood's glitzy surface often hides uncomfortable realities. "The public has understood the reality of this industry... itni dark hai ki logo ki life chali gayi" (The public now understands just how dark this industry is—people have literally lost their lives because of it), he said. In doing so, he has brought back attention to an ongoing conversation about mental health, fairness, and power imbalances in the film world.Sushant Singh Rajput, whose death triggered a nationwide outpouring of grief, had also been rumoured to face similar industry isolation. His demise ignited a fierce debate around nepotism, favouritism, and the lack of institutional support for outsiders in Bollywood. Five years later, Mallik's comments seem to suggest that not much has changed.Amaal Mallik, known for his melodic hits and celebrated work in M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, is not just a chart-topping composer but also someone who's known to speak his mind. The elder son of composer Daboo Malik, Amaal has made a name for himself outside the shadows of Bollywood's nepotistic chains.Despite the headwinds, Kartik Aaryan continues to be a fan favourite. With a filmography ranging from romantic comedies like Pyaar Ka Punchnama to intense roles in Freddy and Dhamaka, the actor has proven his range and bankability. But if Amaal Mallik's words are any indication, the challenges he faces may go far beyond just picking the right script.As Bollywood continues to grapple with its image in the post-Sushant era, voices like Mallik's may reignite urgent conversations around mental health, systemic exclusion, and the cost of success in India's most glamorous industry.