Amaal Mallik Exposes Music Industry Battles: Lost 45 Films for Speaking Up
Renowned music composer and singer Amaal Mallik has once again brought to light the systemic issues plaguing the Hindi film music industry. In a candid interview, Mallik revealed the severe professional consequences he faced for questioning industry norms, including being dropped from an astonishing 40 to 45 films over the past five years.
The Sooraj Dooba Hai Revelation: Rs 70 Crore Earnings, Zero Share
Amaal Mallik shared a stark example of the financial disparities in the industry. He disclosed that the hit song Sooraj Dooba Hai from the film Roy, which was created on a modest budget of Rs 8-9 lakh, went on to generate an estimated Rs 60-70 crore for music labels. Despite this massive success, Mallik received nothing substantial from these earnings.
"It earned Rs 60-70 crore for the label, and I got nothing except for the publishing rights which are negligible, not even close to Rs 1 crore," Mallik stated. He emphasized that his fight for rights extends beyond personal gain. "I want to make that kind of money to help people. That can only come if I have rights or equal rights or some kind of rights jo film music mein nahi milta hai," he added, highlighting his philanthropic intentions.
Contrast with South Indian Film Industry: A Tale of Two Worlds
Mallik drew a sharp comparison between the Hindi and South Indian film music industries. He pointed out that South Indian composers like AR Rahman command fees as high as Rs 10-15 crore, while their Hindi counterparts typically receive only Rs 2-3 crore and often surrender all rights. "It is not about crying for money, but money is something that facilitates someone with a heart like me, intentions like me to help people," Mallik explained.
He further revealed his personal sacrifices, noting that after 16 years in the industry, he recently bought his first car. "Never did anything for myself, it was always people around me," he shared, underscoring his commitment to supporting others.
Industry Functioning: A Culture of Silence and Unfair Practices
Describing the operational dynamics of the music industry, Mallik highlighted a pervasive culture that discourages questioning. "Everyone works in one straight line. People don't ask why things can't be done differently or why credits can't be structured in another way," he said.
On the issue of credits, Mallik asserted his commitment to fairness. "No one can ever say that I denied them credit on my songs," he stated. He criticized the Indian crediting system for lagging behind global standards, noting that on platforms like Spotify, contributors' names are often omitted. Mallik recalled instances where senior lyricists like Amitabh Bhattacharya, Kausar Munir, and Manoj Muntashir had to publicly demand proper credit.
Mallik also claimed credit for initiating the trend of prominently displaying composer credits on YouTube channels, a practice he insisted on as early as 2004.
Professional Cost of Advocacy: Court Battles and Backlash
Speaking about the repercussions of his advocacy, Mallik admitted that taking stands often leads to conflict. "There was a time when I was working with someone on a film, and by the evening we were fighting a court case. I won't name anyone, but that's how it works," he revealed.
Despite these challenges, Mallik expressed gratitude for his audience's support. "I've spoken out strongly, but the audience has stood by me," he said. He acknowledged the risks involved, especially early in his career, with people warning him about reduced work opportunities. "I understand that, but I don't know any other way," Mallik affirmed.
He also mentioned that the backlash sometimes affects his family, including his brother Armaan Malik. Mallik pointed to deeper structural issues, such as lack of transparency in song selection processes, where composers invest effort without clarity on outcomes.
About Amaal Mallik: Legacy and Career
Amaal Mallik, son of composer Daboo Malik and nephew of veteran musician Anu Malik, made his composing debut in 2014 with three songs in Salman Khan's Jai Ho. Although the film underperformed, Mallik persevered, building a notable career with projects like Roy, Ek Paheli Leela, All Is Well, Hero, and Airlift. His journey reflects both the challenges and resilience required to navigate the complex landscape of Hindi film music.
