Amaal Mallik on Fame, Finances, and Family: ‘I Can Earn ₹25 Lakh in a Night — But My Mother Doesn’t Like That’
Amaal Mallik on Fame, Finances, and Family: 'I Can Earn ₹25 Lakh in a Night — But My Mother Doesn’t Like That'
Popular singer and music composer Amaal Mallik, known for chart-toppers like Main Hoon Hero Tera, Sooraj Dooba Hain, Bol Do Na Zara, and Besabriyaan, recently offered a candid glimpse into his personal and professional life during a conversation with host Siddharth Kannan. The musician, who has composed for several major Bollywood films and has carved his own niche in the industry, opened up about how his relationship with money and family has shaped his journey so far.
Despite his success, Amaal revealed that his financial habits often become a point of friction at home, especially with his mother. He shared that even though he was excellent at accounting during his school days and has a fair sense of managing money, his spending choices tend to worry his mother. “My mom looks at money very differently,” he said. “She can’t wrap her head around how a single dinner can cost ₹20,000 or why I’d spend ₹1 lakh in just one day. I’m always upfront with my father about what I spend, but I have to tread lightly with my mother, because it really bothers her.”
Amaal admitted he doesn’t believe in restricting himself when it comes to spending, especially after a performance or when he’s out with his team. “Whether it’s an after-party post-show or treating my crew, I don’t hold back. I like being generous — money, for me, is just a tool. I don’t believe in hoarding it.” He added that he understands his mother’s concern since his parents have been through extremely tough financial times in the past. Recalling a particularly difficult moment, Amaal said, “There was a time when my parents were left with just ₹500, and my father’s dream of becoming a composer hadn’t materialized.”
While he earns handsomely — sometimes making as much as ₹25 lakh from a single live performance — Amaal also pointed out the darker side of the entertainment industry, where payments often get delayed or withheld. “There are producers who promise big money and still don’t clear almost 40% of what they owe. Ironically, it’s usually the smaller producers, who have limited budgets, that stay true to their word. Right now, I’m still owed around ₹25 lakh in unpaid dues — but I’m not bitter. God has been kind, and I can make that in a night if I need to.”
On a more emotional note, Amaal opened up about his family dynamics, revealing that he has decided to distance himself from his parents. He said the ongoing comparisons with his younger brother, singer Armaan Malik, especially from his mother, created a growing rift. “Those constant comparisons really got to me. Over time, it pushed me away.”
