A few weeks ago, music composer and singer Amaal Mallik announced on social media that he was taking a one-year break from the film music industry to focus on his physical and mental health. 

Explaining his choice to do this, he shares, “My mind is rocking but physical health is talking. Every artiste expects self-worth and appreciation. Main film music ko apni kadar dikha dikha kar thak gaya. Actor apni jagah aur hamaari apni jagah. Izzat ki baat hai. It’s not that someone’s career ends without the film industry. This is a perception in our country because people have a habit of looking at the music industry as a subset of the film industry.”

He adds, “Call it a break or retirement, but I took one in 2019. A seven-year relationship had ended, and I had also lost my dog around the same time. I was working on Kabir Singh, and the blueprint I had made for the soundtrack was taken by some composers. People asked why I didn’t speak about it then. That’s because I was going through such a personal emotional loss. I spoke when I was better and had the chance.”

In an era of remixes, Amaal’s insistence on keeping original music separate from remix-led offers also shaped his choices and cost him opportunities.

He says, “I have been removed from 60 films, while I must have declined 15-20 films myself. I have a rule: if the original song is locked first and there is a need for a remix later, I will do it. But I will not do a remix as a condition for being offered an original song in another film. I declined to remix Aashiq Banaya Aapne and Masakali. In fact, I asked fellow composers not to do them because as a community, we cannot let down other composers. We are not one-song wonders or sell-outs.”

He adds, “I also started noticing a simple pattern: Amaal Mallik ko album se hataao, woh nahi chahiye, even if the song is good. I have realized that if you work with ethics, speak the truth and create original music, toh aapko kaata jaayega. I want to set an example to upcoming composers to ask for their rights and not sign wrong contracts.”

The experiences of being removed from projects and having to make difficult choices also took a toll on his confidence, but the response to Yeh Awarapan in Awarapan 2 has helped restore some of that belief in his work.

Amaal recalls, “At the time, I wasn’t confident, but ultimately, the song won. The day after the title track released, I was offered 15 films, and I have signed three. However, I don’t want to talk about them now because whenever I speak about my work, there is an effort to remove me from that project.”

The negative PR he encountered around his song in Awarapan also contributed to his public confrontation on social media with composer Tanishk Bagchi, which he later deleted.

He says, “Many people tried to mess with the song and spread negative PR around it. I had proof to substantiate my claims, but I had to remove the garbage from my timeline. My post will make people famous, and I am not here to do that. I have the courage to call a spade a spade, toh agar meri galti hogi, main usko bhi accept karunga.”

Amaal also raised the issue with Salman Khan Films’ social media team after an anniversary post celebrating 11 years of Hero omitted his name as the composer and Kumaar as the lyricist of Main Hoon Hero Tera.

He says, “My tweet wasn’t directed at Salman Khan sir. My point was that Kumaar and I created the song. When you celebrate a song, the composer and lyricist should also be recognized. I didn’t fight for my own brother, who sang the song. I fought for my writer and myself. After that, many labels have added our credit and I am glad that people are coming around.”

One development that has strengthened his resolve is his father Daboo Malik publicly stepping forward to support him.

Daboo says, “Amaal is a very important aspect of my existence, and many people don’t factor in how this child has grown and built a musical empire of his own. Many times, Amaal has stopped me from speaking up despite documented proof. Today, I feel it is time for me to speak up for him. If he is speaking his mind, I will stand by him. If anyone wrongs him, they should know that I will not remain silent. I will support him even if he chooses not to make music after this. His music speaks for itself, and my priority now is his health and well-being.”