Music has chosen me, says singer-composer Amaal Malik

It’s not just melodies that come naturally to gifted composer, singer and lyricist Amaal Malik. Words too flow like a torrent, so much so that questions become redundant in this exclusive Zoom interview, where we meet the unplugged composer who wears no filters or guards. Grandson of the legendary composer Sardar Malik, son of Dabboo Malik and nephew of the famous Anu Malik, music races in his blood. Yet, it flows out with an individual stamp. Of course, with influences ‘running from 1960s to 2000s’, he has no hesitation in admitting, “What you listen to impacts your music, only what emerges is your soul.”

Hailing from an illustrious musical family does mean that the atmosphere at home was very melodious; it was rather equally competitive, especially with feisty uncle Anu around! Amaal recalls, “When my song Sooraj Dooba from the movie Roy came out, he patted me on the back, but also told me to wait for his new song, which turned out to be the lilting Moh Moh Ke Dhaage.” But he goes on to remind us how his uncle, who debuted in 1977, was still very much around. No mean feat indeed.

Interestingly, Amaal, who thought he would make his mark in the 30s, got his first break at a rather young age of 23, when he composed three songs for Salman Khan’s film Jai Ho. Indeed, many dismissed him as not quite the chip of the old block and the censure even ‘pushed me towards depression’. Now he can afford to joke, “At one point I thought of moving abroad and sell burgers. But then Sooraj Dooba happened and I knew music has chosen me.” Since then, there have been many musical milestones, including collaboration with Grammy winner Dua Lipa, for the remix of her song Levitating.

Today, he who has composed for films like Airlift, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and many more, is happy to play big brother to aspiring musicians. For, he sure knows how Bollywood works on the ‘stoop to conquer’ principle. As for real younger brother Armaan Malik, number one on the Top Triller Global Billboard charts twice, well, together they have given us some phenomenal numbers like Jab Tak, Hua Hain Aaj Pehli Baar and Ghar Se Nikalte Hi. And a few like Chale Aana, have had over one billion streams. But that does not mean for every song he composes, Armaan is the automatic choice as a singer. Rather, he laughs and shares how the internationally acclaimed younger brother often doubles up as his demo singer. He reveals, “There are so many songs which I record with him that ultimately go to other singers.” However, make no mistake he is exceptionally proud of Armaan’s achievements. To those who want to be one like him, he cautions, “Armaan was not made in a day.”

“With soundscape changing every two weeks, it’s anyway not easy to survive in this industry where the competition is sky high. The best of best have to eat a humble pie,” he says. But on the flip side, he also professes, “It’s a great time for music where you don’t have to only compose/sing for films.” Thus, amidst the bheed of “five lakh singers and 50,000 music composers, artiste Chaar Diwaari, with cutting edge music, could capture your imagination.”

To those who continue to dwell in musical nostalgia and lament that melody has all but vanished from the Hindi film industry, he counters, “There is good and bad music in every era. You can’t discredit any.” And to ensure melody doesn’t elude his grasp, he has the nerve to say no to 21 films, ‘also removed from 27’. He asserts, “I can’t do a remix for every film. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was an exception for the song Ami Je Tomar 3.0 was central to the franchise.”

Music for him is a very personal thing and each time his composition goes out into the world, his heart aches for sharing something so close to him. Today, as he is ready with music of upcoming film Inn Galiyon Mein, in which he has given a racy tongue-in-cheek song to brother Armaan and Palak Muchhal, he is in no rush to get anywhere. “I just want to remain in people’s hearts.” With his dance anthems like Kar Gai Chull and Aashiq Surrender Hua still rocking the musical scene, he is certainly here to stay. In hearts and on the hit lists!