If there is one thing that defines Amaal Mallik, it is his refusal to filter himself. Brutally honest, he does not hesitate to call out even his own ecosystem if he believes something is off. That side of him was visible during his stint on Bigg Boss last year. Some admired his candour, others found it abrasive. But for Amaal, it has never been about being liked; it has always been about being real. Excerpts from a conversation.
‘I didn’t take up Bigg Boss for validation’
After years of hesitation, Amaal finally chose to take up Bigg Boss as a personal challenge, after first being approached in 2018. He says, “I didn’t take it up for validation. People often call Bigg Boss a career-revival stint, but that wasn’t the case for me. My career has been beautiful over the last decade, and I always felt Bigg Boss was not my kind of show. But I wanted to challenge myself.” Reflecting on the experience, he adds, “Bigg Boss has made me a household name. The show was a kind of cleansing for me. I went in after putting out a post about going through depression to overcome a bunch of things, and I came out much stronger. I know how to own stardom now, but I am still getting used to it.”
‘People now know the chalk-and-cheese difference between Armaan and me’
For Amaal, individual identity was always important, even though it came with its share of emotional strain within the family. The music composer says, “My brother Armaan and I never wanted to be known as a duo because we are talented in different ways. He is the best singer in our family of composers and has earned everything on merit. There was a time when he was doing 20 shows a month so that money came home, while music direction didn’t bring in money.” That phase, he recalls, also affected the dynamics at home. He shares, “For my mother, both of us are the apples of her eye, but conversations would turn into comparisons. She would say, ‘Armaan is earning so much for a show, why are you earning so little?’ I kept explaining the difference between a singer and a composer’s market, but it wasn’t understood. It impacted me mentally, emotionally, and even my bond with Armaan. My fight with my parents was actually to protect that bond so it doesn’t get damaged under pressure. Eventually, we understood each other and are in a better space today.”
Over the years, Amaal says that what began as internal pressure eventually led to clarity about his identity and greater recognition, something he feels became more visible after Bigg Boss. He adds, “Not many knew I was the boy behind MS Dhoni and Airlift. The music I made over ten years would connect with my face, and it was important for me to be known as Amaal, not Armaan. People now know who Armaan is and who I am, with a proper chalk-and-cheese difference. Bigg Boss has played a part in that shift.”
‘We are proud of being Daboo Malik’s sons, but we wanted to be known for our work’
Despite belonging to a musical family, Amaal rejects the idea that his journey was easy. He says, “I am actually a product of reverse nepotism. Not one person gave me a job in this industry after hearing the surname Malik, thinking, ‘He is Daboo’s son, Anu’s relative, you can sell him easily.’ I was sacked from a job because of the same. I am here because of Salman Khan sir, who gave me a break with Jai Ho at 23. People need to understand that two boys have changed the narrative from being known as Anu Malik’s nephews for 20 years to them being known as Armaan and Amaal.” He adds, “We are proud of being Daboo Malik’s sons, but we wanted to be known for our work. I respect them, but the shadow of the surname was like a sword hanging over us. We changed that perception through quality work.”
‘I have been single since 2019’
Since Bigg Boss, Amaal has been navigating speculation around his relationship status. He was linked to co-contestant Farrhana Bhatt. Addressing rumours, he says, “Farrhana and I share a real bond of friendship and nothing more. I have been single since 2019, and when I have a girlfriend, I will announce it.” On relationships, he adds, “I want my partner to be as fiery as I am. I have never dated within the industry because I am wary of this space. I don’t always know when actors are acting and when they are being real, and that makes me cautious.”
‘I have become a social media relevant musician’
The show expanded his audience significantly. He says, “My audience, which was earlier between 12 to 30, is now 12 to 75. I have become a social media relevant musician. I am focused on independent music, music videos, and stage shows. Stage shows bring in money, and that gets reinvested into independent music. It is a cycle.” Despite other opportunities, he remains firm on priorities. He says, “I am getting offers, mostly villain roles from the South, and music offers as well. I will see what makes sense, but music is my first love. Today, the audience wants me to act, the industry wants me to be a villain, but I want to be just a musician. I will explore only if it aligns with me.” He adds, “I am the guy people are watching to see how a music composer builds his journey. What Himesh Reshammiya ji did in his era, I have to do in my own subtle way. My noise is not loud; it is in silence and withdrawal.” Looking back at his journey so far, he shares, “From 2014 till now, I have lived the dreams of my 15-year-old self. Earlier everything I did was for my family. Now I have added something for myself too. My journey is 50 per cent mine.”
