Amaal Mallik's Emotional Revelation About Grandfather's Final Musical Wish
Renowned Bollywood composer Amaal Mallik has shared a deeply personal and emotional story about his grandfather Sardar Malik's dying wish. In a recent candid interview, Amaal revealed that his grandfather, on his deathbed, pleaded with him to create one final album together. This poignant moment occurred when Amaal was just 14 years old, marking the beginning of a complex journey of carrying forward a musical legacy while facing significant personal and professional challenges.
The Weight of a Musical Dynasty
The Malik family represents one of Bollywood's most significant musical dynasties. Sardar Malik established the family's musical foundation, with his sons Anu Malik and Daboo Malik both becoming accomplished composers. The third generation continues this tradition with Daboo's sons Amaal Mallik as a composer and Armaan Malik as a celebrated singer. However, Amaal has consistently been transparent about the difficulties that come with such an illustrious surname in the competitive film industry.
"I was out on the road working at the age of 15," Amaal recalled during his appearance on Pinkvilla's YouTube channel. "I would do anything I could get my hands on, be it an assistant or a runner. But when people used to know about my surname, they used to remove me from the job — thinking I'll sell them out. They had certain notions about my family. So it worked against me and my brother, and we got nothing on the platter. The name came with a lot of struggle."
The Deathbed Promise and Its Aftermath
Amaal described the profound moment when his grandfather made his final request: "When I was 14, and my grandfather was on his deathbed, his last wish to me was that he wanted to make a song with me. He said, 'Ek album kara de mera (Help me make an album).' So now I have been working for over 20 years. You get burnt out."
This deathbed promise created immense pressure on the young composer, particularly after he achieved success with hits like 'Sooraj Dooba Hai.' The expectation to honor his grandfather's legacy while establishing his own identity in the industry became a constant burden that Amaal carried through his career.
Family Struggles and Personal Sacrifices
Amaal's journey has been marked by significant personal sacrifices as he worked to bring financial stability to his family. "I had to be very emotionally strong from a very young age," he confessed. "Because I wanted to keep Armaan away from everything. I saw my family's struggle and tried to use that to make music. In that process of taking care of my family, I didn't take care of my health."
The composer revealed moments of profound exhaustion: "There were times like when I thought of calling my family and just saying that, 'I am tired; take care of me.' To bring stability to my family, I had to move away from them. I was constantly thinking about work and how to get food on the table. It's not a good thing because balance is important."
Sardar Malik's Remarkable Journey and Tragic Decline
Sardar Malik's own life story reads like a Bollywood screenplay. According to his son Daboo, Sardar ran away from home at age 14 when his life was threatened. He found refuge in the Maharaja of Kapurthala's palace, where he begged for work as a dancer. Noted dancer Uday Shankar, present at the event, recognized the young boy's potential and gave him an opportunity.
After receiving formal music training, Sardar's talent quickly gained recognition. His breakthrough came with the 1961 film Sarang, which allowed him to move into an impressive bungalow in Mumbai's prestigious Juhu area. However, his success was short-lived as work opportunities dwindled dramatically.
Daboo Malik has claimed that competitors deliberately sabotaged his father's career. Amaal shared a heartbreaking anecdote during his Bigg Boss appearance: "Because of this one person, our house saw famine, there was no food left. That person declared that whoever will give work to Sardar Malik, I will not step in that studio. He misused his power so much."
The family's fortunes declined so severely that Sardar had to move from their Juhu bungalow to a modest chawl. To support his family, he took on various odd jobs, including working as a carpenter. Despite his son Anu Malik's subsequent success in Bollywood, Sardar remained largely excluded from that achievement, according to Daboo's recollections in his podcast series.
Sardar Malik battled prolonged illness before passing away in 2006 at the age of 76, leaving behind a complicated legacy that his grandson Amaal continues to navigate more than two decades later.
The Ongoing Legacy and Personal Toll
Amaal Mallik's revelations highlight the complex reality behind Bollywood's glamorous facade. The pressure to honor family legacies, combined with industry politics and personal sacrifices, creates a challenging environment for even the most talented artists. Amaal's story serves as a reminder of the human cost behind musical success and the enduring power of a grandfather's final wish that continues to shape a composer's career and personal life.
The emotional weight of carrying forward Sardar Malik's musical heritage while establishing his own identity has defined Amaal's journey in the industry. His candid revelations provide rare insight into the personal struggles that often remain hidden behind the spotlight of Bollywood success stories.
