Music composer and singer Amaal Mallik recently opened up about the emotional toll family dynamics have taken on him, revealing that ongoing comparisons with his younger brother, singer Armaan Malik, prompted him to create distance from his parents. This revelation follows his earlier disclosure in March about battling clinical depression and facing emotional disconnect at home.
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Amaal clarified that there was never any animosity between him and Armaan. The issue, he said, stemmed from the pressure placed on him by his parents—particularly the high expectations and comparisons that weighed him down.
He recalled how his mother, coming from a structured background in corporate law, found it difficult to relate to his chaotic, free-spirited approach to music and life. “She wanted me to bring discipline into my routine, and I tried, but it didn’t align with who I am,” he said. Her tendency to compare his path with Armaan's only deepened the disconnect. “We are two very different people with distinct musical styles and personalities. But despite that, the comparisons persisted,” he added.
Amaal also spoke about how these pressures began creating friction within the household. He explained that being part of the entertainment industry meant that criticism often reached his father, which affected him deeply—especially since he has a heart condition. “There were times directors would complain that I refused certain projects, but I had valid reasons. My parents, however, felt the weight of those comments too,” he said.
He further recalled instances where his father urged him to comply with industry demands simply to keep the peace. “He’d say, ‘Just meet the director. Don’t argue, just go through with it.’ I couldn’t understand why I was being accused when I hadn’t done anything wrong,” Amaal explained, describing this as a turning point that fueled growing disagreements at home.
Eventually, the constant pressure—from family expectations to public scrutiny—became too overwhelming. “Whether it was awards, career choices, or public image, it all mattered to me because it mattered to them. But over time, I realized I needed to protect my peace. I had to separate my personal life from my professional world,” he shared.
Despite the strain, Amaal and Armaan have collaborated on many popular Bollywood tracks, such as Main Rahoon, Sab Tera, Chale Aana, and Hua Hai Aaj Pehli Baar. Amaal was even present at Armaan’s wedding to fashion influencer Aashna Shroff earlier this year in January, highlighting that the bond between the brothers remains intact.
