Music composer Amaal Mallik has publicly alleged that a 'mixed syndicate of egoistic humans' in the Hindi film industry has systematically lobbied to keep him out of projects over the past several years, costing him more than 60 film assignments between 2019 and 2026. The composer shared his account in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter), addressing his fanbase — whom he calls #AMAALIANS — directly.

What Mallik Alleged

In his post, Mallik claimed that powerful individuals in the industry had him removed from 'more than 60 odd projects' over roughly eight years. He noted that he personally declined around 20 films on grounds of creative self-respect, but maintained that the remaining exclusions were orchestrated against him. 'The big boys in powerful positions have got me out of more than 60 odd projects,' he wrote, adding that he held 'no regrets' for his own choices but felt a sense of accountability toward his listeners for the music they never got to hear.

The Syndicate Claim

Mallik stopped short of naming the individuals involved, but described the network as extending beyond music labels. 'It's not just labels, it's beyond that NOW — it's a mixed syndicate of egoistic humans,' he wrote. He alleged that this group has been 'playing award-worthy politics for almost 8 years', which he said explains his reduced presence in mainstream film soundtracks. He added that his refusal to align with any 'clout, power setup, or petty groupism' — including what he described as nepotism networks — had made him a target.

Threats to Family

In a more serious disclosure, Mallik alleged that his candour about the industry's inner workings had drawn retaliation beyond professional exclusion. He stated that his inability to conceal the truth had led to 'pointless threats' directed at both him and his family, though he did not elaborate on the nature or source of those threats.

His Message to Fans

Despite the allegations, Mallik's tone was defiant rather than defeated. He urged his supporters to turn to his independent music catalogue in the interim. 'If a film song comes great, if not then don't fret,' he wrote, signing off with a Hindi appeal: 'Mera indie music suno' (Listen to my indie music). He also affirmed his commitment to continuing to create and release music outside the mainstream film ecosystem, stating he would 'always do his best to put music and shoot videos whenever possible' for his fans.

Broader Context

Mallik's allegations arrive at a moment when conversations around gatekeeping and nepotism in Bollywood have been recurring with increasing frequency, particularly since the public discourse that followed the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020. Critics of the industry have long argued that informal power networks determine who gets opportunities, often sidelining talent that refuses to operate within those hierarchies. Mallik's post adds a composer's first-person account to that ongoing debate. He has not indicated whether he intends to pursue any formal legal or regulatory action.