In a shocking revelation, Amaal Mallik recalled how Anu Malik reportedly replaced his own brother, Daboo Malik, for Mahesh Bhatt’s Murder by offering to work for free.
Anurag Basu’s Murder (2004) is still remembered today for its chart‑topping soundtrack, with songs that became instant classics and continue to be played two decades later. Few know, however, that the film’s music was originally supposed to be composed by Daboo Malik.
In a recent interaction with Filmfare, Daboo Malik’s song and composer Amaal Mallik recalled how Anu Malik snatched this film from his father.
He shared that his father, Daboo Malik, was initially offered Murder and had almost begun recording for the film. However, Anu Malik stepped in and told Mahesh Bhatt that he would compose the entire soundtrack for free if given the chance, urging him not to take Daboo.
Amaal revealed that Anu even reached out to Salman Khan, insisting that he was the better composer. Reflecting on this, Amaal said that while Anu had undeniable fire and talent as a composer, the way he handled the situation hurt his own family. He explained that he respected Anu’s artistry but, on a personal level, did not admire the way he acted.
The ‘Airlift’ composer shared that he had been close to Anu Malik’s family until he was about 10 or 12 years old, but things shifted once his father, Daboo, entered the music industry. He explained that competition changed the dynamic, and over time he realized that Anu viewed the industry as a battlefield.
According to Amaal, Anu carried the mindset of a “war horse,” determined to prove himself the best no matter who stood in front of him—whether it was Daboo Malik, Pritam, or even legends like Laxmikant-Pyarelal. In that fire, Amaal said, Anu often forgot who was family.
He added that this had always been Anu’s way of working. Their relationship remained cordial, and Amaal remembered how Anu congratulated him when he won for ‘Sooraj Dooba Hai‘, even joking that he had made a slightly better song—’Moh Moh Ke Dhaage‘ (Dum Laga Ke Haisha).
Amaal acknowledged Anu’s undeniable talent and the many memorable songs he had composed, but also admitted that he had seen his father suffer greatly because of him.
Coming back to Murder, the erotic thriller, produced by Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt, revolves around a lonely wife who rekindles an affair with her former lover, leading to betrayal, obsession, and a deadly confrontation. The film was a box office success.
