Music composer Amaal Mallik, known for his work on films such as Jai Ho, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Kabir Singh, recently discussed the darker aspects of Bollywood during a conversation with Mirchi Plus. He asserted that following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, there appears to be an effort within Bollywood to undermine Kartik Aaryan.
In reflecting on the grim realities of Bollywood and the circumstances surrounding Sushant’s passing, Amaal remarked, “Currently, the luster of Bollywood seems to be absent. The public has come to grasp the true nature of this industry. From an emotional standpoint, there is now a disconnect — audiences feel estranged from their idols, questioning the kind of environment they inhabit.
The industry harbors such a sinister side that it has led to the loss of lives. Sushant Singh Rajput was unable to cope with it — regardless of whether one labels it as murder or suicide, the undeniable truth is that a life was taken. This industry inflicted something upon him — be it to his psyche, his spirit, or through the demoralization by those around him.
He elaborated on how this resulted in a significant disconnection between the audience and the industry. Amaal reminisced about how even his non-film industry friends began to label Bollywood as a toxic environment. He further commented that the industry warranted the decline it experienced following Sushant’s demise. He stated, “And currently, one can observe that individuals are attempting similar tactics, either directly or indirectly, with Kartik Aaryan as well.
He too has navigated through comparable challenges—dancing his way past them—but he benefits from the support and guidance of his parents. Additionally, he is a newcomer who entered the scene, fulfilled his role, and now a hundred individuals are eager to oust him, engaging in power struggles. Major producers and prominent actors participate in this.
The industry, which once appeared so glamorous to the public, with the allure of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan—people have ceased to believe in the enchantment of cinema. Following the incident with Sushant Singh Rajput, the public began to perceive these individuals as terrible people.”
He further stated that unless audiences perceive a star child within a compelling narrative or a relatable storyline, they are disinclined to view the film. Amaal also commended the determination of South Indian cinema and proposed that Bollywood can only recover by either producing something as innovative as Christopher Nolan’s Inception, offering light-hearted comedies, or developing heartfelt romances akin to Aashiqui. He believes these are the sole methods through which Hindi cinema can reestablish its connection with the audience.
Amaal Mallik’s remarks illustrate a striking depiction of a Bollywood power dynamic that bypasses and diminishes talent regarded as “outsider.” Whether it involves over targeting, as seen in Sushant’s situation, Mallik clearly indicates that Kartik is contending with comparable challenges. However, Kartik’s current trajectory indicates that he remains competitive—and is steadily advancing despite these obstacles.
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