Bollywood has long celebrated its stars, yet the creative voices that shape its soul often remain sidelined. Composer and singer Amaal Mallik has once again stepped forward to illuminate the inequities embedded within the Hindi film music ecosystem, laying bare issues that stretch from exploitative work structures to unfair credit systems, restricted artistic ownership, and unequal financial rewards. Speaking candidly in an interview with Pinkvilla, Amaal revisited the journey of the song Sooraj Dooba Hai from the film Roy, using it as a powerful example of how disproportionate the system can be.
The song, he explained, was produced on a modest budget of roughly Rs 8 to 9 lakh. Despite this, it went on to generate an astonishing Rs 60 to 70 crore for music labels. Yet, the creator behind its success remained largely excluded from the financial windfall. Amaal revealed that his earnings were limited to minimal publishing rights, an amount that did not even approach Rs 1 crore, highlighting how composers are often disconnected from the long-term value of their work.
For Amaal, however, the struggle is not rooted in personal luxury or material ambition. His vision of financial fairness is deeply tied to purpose. He has consistently expressed that wealth, when earned with dignity and rights intact, becomes a tool to uplift others. His desire to secure equal or meaningful rights within film music stems from the belief that creative ownership enables generosity, social responsibility, and quiet acts of support that do not demand attention or applause.
Drawing comparisons with the South Indian film industry, Amaal pointed to a stark contrast in how composers are treated. He acknowledged figures like AR Rahman and other Southern stalwarts who have firmly protected their rights and, in doing so, reshaped industry norms. In the South, leading composers command fees ranging between Rs 10 and 15 crore while retaining their rights, whereas Hindi film composers often accept Rs 2 to 3 crore and surrender ownership entirely. For Amaal, this disparity is not about complaining over money but about recognizing money as a facilitator for meaningful impact when guided by empathy.
His personal life reflects this philosophy. Even after spending over a decade and a half in the industry, Amaal only recently bought a car for himself. His earnings, he shared, have consistently been directed toward supporting those around him rather than personal indulgence, reinforcing his belief that success carries responsibility.
Amaal also shed light on the rigid hierarchy within the industry, where questioning established norms is discouraged. He described an environment where most professionals move along predefined paths, rarely challenging why systems cannot evolve or why credit structures remain outdated. He recalled that visible composer credits on digital platforms were not always standard practice and emphasized that he was among the first to demand proper recognition as early as 2004.
Taking such principled stands, however, has come at a steep professional cost. Amaal admitted that asserting his rights often led to legal disputes and strained relationships. Over the past five years alone, he revealed being removed from nearly 40 to 45 projects. Yet, despite being pushed out of the spotlight, his music continued to resonate with listeners, proving that authentic art outlives visibility.
Through his words and actions, Amaal Mallik continues to celebrate creative integrity, reminding the industry that true progress begins when talent, fairness, and humanity are valued equally.
The song, he explained, was produced on a modest budget of roughly Rs 8 to 9 lakh. Despite this, it went on to generate an astonishing Rs 60 to 70 crore for music labels. Yet, the creator behind its success remained largely excluded from the financial windfall. Amaal revealed that his earnings were limited to minimal publishing rights, an amount that did not even approach Rs 1 crore, highlighting how composers are often disconnected from the long-term value of their work.
For Amaal, however, the struggle is not rooted in personal luxury or material ambition. His vision of financial fairness is deeply tied to purpose. He has consistently expressed that wealth, when earned with dignity and rights intact, becomes a tool to uplift others. His desire to secure equal or meaningful rights within film music stems from the belief that creative ownership enables generosity, social responsibility, and quiet acts of support that do not demand attention or applause.
Drawing comparisons with the South Indian film industry, Amaal pointed to a stark contrast in how composers are treated. He acknowledged figures like AR Rahman and other Southern stalwarts who have firmly protected their rights and, in doing so, reshaped industry norms. In the South, leading composers command fees ranging between Rs 10 and 15 crore while retaining their rights, whereas Hindi film composers often accept Rs 2 to 3 crore and surrender ownership entirely. For Amaal, this disparity is not about complaining over money but about recognizing money as a facilitator for meaningful impact when guided by empathy.
His personal life reflects this philosophy. Even after spending over a decade and a half in the industry, Amaal only recently bought a car for himself. His earnings, he shared, have consistently been directed toward supporting those around him rather than personal indulgence, reinforcing his belief that success carries responsibility.
Amaal also shed light on the rigid hierarchy within the industry, where questioning established norms is discouraged. He described an environment where most professionals move along predefined paths, rarely challenging why systems cannot evolve or why credit structures remain outdated. He recalled that visible composer credits on digital platforms were not always standard practice and emphasized that he was among the first to demand proper recognition as early as 2004.
Taking such principled stands, however, has come at a steep professional cost. Amaal admitted that asserting his rights often led to legal disputes and strained relationships. Over the past five years alone, he revealed being removed from nearly 40 to 45 projects. Yet, despite being pushed out of the spotlight, his music continued to resonate with listeners, proving that authentic art outlives visibility.
Through his words and actions, Amaal Mallik continues to celebrate creative integrity, reminding the industry that true progress begins when talent, fairness, and humanity are valued equally.
