Amaal Mallik says one of his past relationships ended over his Muslim surname: "They didn't want their daughter to be associated with..."

Time of India

12-07-2025

Amaal Mallik recently shared a deeply personal account of the hardships he has faced, highlighting a painful breakup and professional challenges during the making of 'Kabir Singh'. His candid conversation reveals how he navigated emotional turmoil and began his journey toward healing. For the first time, Amaal spoke openly about these struggles.
Amaal Mallik
opened up about some tough times he has faced recently. He talked about a painful breakup caused by unfair treatment and a difficult experience while working on the film '
Kabir Singh
'. This honest conversation shows how he has dealt with pain and started to heal.
First Time Sharing His Personal Story
In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal opened up about his personal life for the first time. He revealed that his heartbreak happened during the period he was working on Kabir Singh, which surprisingly turned into one of his most emotionally intense creative phases. Reflecting on the painful experience, he said, 'The girl I was in a relationship with at that point in time married someone else.
I was about to perform a gig when she called and said she's getting married but would elope if I came to her.
"
Choosing Dignity Over Impulse
Although she begged him, Amaal decided to prioritize his self-respect rather than act on emotion. He shared, 'I guess the SRK from DDLJ in me woke up and said, 'No, if your parents can't accept my religion and respect my career, then I wish you the best.'"
Parental Objections and Prejudice
Mallik's relationship lasted from 2014 to 2019, but he revealed that his partner's parents never accepted him due to his Muslim background and his career in Bollywood.
He said, 'They didn't want their daughter to be associated with someone from Bollywood. They were Jaats and said, 'You're from an Islamic background.' I was like, there's not even an 'I' of Islam in me."
A Family Guided by Spirituality
Coming from a mixed religious family—with a Muslim father and a Saraswat Brahmin Hindu mother—Amaal emphasized that spirituality, not strict religious rules, guides his family. He added, 'We go to Mt Mary when we feel empty.
We believe in God but we don't fear God. There's no 'kattar' anything in us. In fact, their problem was more with the industry than religion. To be judged based on my surname or the fact that I'm part of Bollywood — I knew then that these were not my kind of people.
I need broad-minded people. I don't think our relationship would have worked in the long run."
Heartbreak as a Blessing in Disguise
Looking back, Amaal considers his heartbreak a hidden blessing.
He said, 'Now, I don't miss her. That chapter's long gone. I've been on dates since, but nothing's worked. My lifestyle is my problem. I do feel lonely at times, though."
Professional Setbacks During 'Kabir Singh'
During this challenging phase, he also faced disappointment professionally. Amaal poured his heart into Kabir Singh, creating six songs in just 20 minutes with director
Sandeep Reddy Vanga
, yet only one made it to the final film. He said, 'There was heavy politics. I was reduced to one song, and that too because Sandeep fought for me. Not that betrayals don't happen anymore — but back then, I was already heartbroken. It hit me hard."
Seeking Peace
Despite everything, Amaal has grown reflective and resilient, seeking inner peace rather than fame. 'We neutrally respect every religion. I believe in karma. That's what guides me now," he mentioned.