Music director Amaal Mallik again hit the headlines, this time with shocking details about his relationship with money, family feuds and how he is being pulled around emotionally every time he is being compared to his younger brother, a singer named Armaan Malik. During a recent podcast which saw him speak with journalist Siddharth Kannan, the 35-year-old spoke about the financial and personal struggles which made him decide to move away of his family.
Amaal disclosed that he can earn up to Rs 25 lakh in a single evening performance, yet his spending habits have become a source of tension at home. "My mother has a very different relationship with money. She will never understand why the dinner bill is 20k or why I suddenly spent a lakh rupees in a single day," he explained during the interview.
The composer, who describes himself as a "very generous person," spends approximately Rs 1 lakh daily and up to Rs 20,000 on dinner. While he maintains transparency about his expenses with his father, he admits to being more cautious around his mother, who disapproves of his spending patterns.
This is the reason that leads to such a financial gap as a result of his family experience. Amaal shared that his mother has gone through extreme poverty and she has been on her last Rs 500 when his father was not on successful career as a composer. All this has made her turn conservative in addressing money; this has resulted in a serious mismatch between her and the lifestyle led by her son.
Worse than money disagreement are, perhaps, constant comparison to his younger brother Armaan. Amaal found it important to note that although he does not bear grudges against his brother, their mother has developed an obsession with comparing their varied professional choices, which has brought unnecessary pressure.
"She would compare my journey with Armaan, and that would affect her. But no two people walk the same path. Armaan and I are completely different, we do different kinds of music, different interviews, and we have different personalities," he stated.
The composer explained how his mother, coming from a corporate lawyer background, struggled to understand his "disorganized, undisciplined, raw, rebellious artist" lifestyle. Her expectations for structure and discipline clashed with his creative process, leading to mounting frustration on both sides.
The situation deteriorated when industry pressures began affecting his family relationships. Amaal revealed that directors and producers would complain to his father about his project decisions, causing stress for his heart patient father. "Being from the industry, people would call my dad and say, 'Your son is acting up,'" he shared.
These professional conflicts translated into domestic tensions, with his parents feeling the pressure from his career choices. The mounting expectations regarding awards, projects, and public appearances eventually forced Amaal to draw boundaries between his personal and professional life.
Despite the family turmoil, Amaal's father, musician Daboo Malik, recently showed public support following revelations about his son's painful breakup in 2019. When Amaal shared how his relationship ended due to religious differences, his girlfriend's family disapproving of his Muslim background, Daboo responded with a heartfelt message: "Son... Remember, your Father is always there... I know your pain and I love you to eternity."
Amaal's journey reflects the complex dynamics many artists face when balancing creative freedom with family expectations. His decision to prioritize mental health over family harmony, while difficult, demonstrates the importance of setting boundaries for personal well-being.
The composer, who has given Bollywood hits like "Main Rahoon" and "Chale Aana," continues to work professionally while maintaining limited personal interactions with his family. His story serves as a reminder that success comes with its own set of challenges, often hidden behind the glamour of the entertainment industry.
As Amaal continues his musical journey, his transparency about these struggles offers insight into the personal cost of artistic expression and the ongoing battle between tradition and individual freedom in contemporary Indian families.
