The MeToo movement in India shook the entertainment industry in 2018, bringing to light numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against powerful figures. One of the most high-profile names caught in the controversy was music composer and singer Anu Malik, a veteran in Bollywood known for creating some of the industry’s most memorable melodies.
Multiple women from the music industry accused Malik of sexual harassment, leading to widespread debate, public backlash, and significant professional setbacks for him. Now, years later, his younger brother, music composer Daboo Malik, has opened up about how the family coped with those turbulent times and the emotional toll it took on them.
‘It Shattered Us as a Family’
In a recent conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Daboo Malik reflected on the period when the allegations first surfaced.
“It shattered us as a family,” Daboo recalled. “He was also taken aback. We couldn’t handle the pain he went through at the time with so many people targeting him. We supported him emotionally. We saw to it that he got back in terms of work and meetings.”
Daboo emphasised that as a family, they avoided passing judgment on the accusations, maintaining that it was not their place to do so. “One should not,” he said. “He saw a very difficult time. I have supported him on an individual level because when you see someone going through so much, it was quite a setback for him.”
Facing Public Perception
When asked whether the controversy made it harder for him and their younger brother, Abu Malik, to face people, Daboo downplayed the idea.
“We give it too much importance,” he said. “I don’t think we are stars. He is not a Shah Rukh Khan or a superstar. We are musicians. Unnecessarily, we keep talking about someone on social media and end up giving them a position. I don’t think we are that important to even have this conversation.”
His comments highlighted the double-edged nature of social media, where conversations about public figures—whether based on fact or speculation—can quickly amplify, often without considering the human cost to those involved.
Anu Malik’s MeToo Controversy
The controversy surrounding Anu Malik erupted in October 2018, when India’s MeToo movement gained momentum. Several prominent female artists accused him of inappropriate conduct, including Sona Mohapatra, Neha Bhasin, and Alisha Chinai.
Singer Shweta Pandit alleged that Malik had made unwanted advances toward her when she was just 15 years old. In response, veteran lyricist Sameer publicly supported Malik, denying that such an incident had occurred.
Sona Mohapatra and Neha Bhasin accused him of predatory behaviour, with Mohapatra being particularly vocal on social media. However, singer Hema Sardesai came to Malik’s defence, saying she had only ever experienced respectful behaviour from him.
Interestingly, Alisha Chinai had her own history with Malik. In the 1990s, she had filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of molestation. That case was eventually settled out of court, but when fresh allegations surfaced decades later, Chinai expressed her support for the women speaking out during the MeToo movement.
The allegations had immediate professional consequences for Malik. At the time, he was a judge on the popular reality TV show Indian Idol Season 10. The backlash and mounting pressure forced him to step down from his role.
In 2019, he briefly returned to the judging panel for Season 11, but the controversy had not died down. After continued criticism and public protest, Malik once again stepped away, citing his inability to focus on work amid the ongoing allegations.
On January 17, 2020, the National Commission for Women (NCW) announced that the case against Malik had been closed due to a lack of substantial evidence. However, the NCW made it clear that the case could be reopened if new evidence emerged in the future.
For Malik’s supporters, this was a moment of relief, but for critics, it was another example of how difficult it can be for sexual harassment cases to result in legal consequences, especially in high-profile situations.
The Family’s Perspective
From Daboo Malik’s account, the period following the allegations was one of intense emotional strain for the entire family. As musicians and public figures, they were used to media attention, but the kind of scrutiny that accompanied the MeToo controversy was of a different nature—deeply personal, often harsh, and relentless.
Daboo’s remarks suggest that while the family rallied around Anu Malik, they were also careful about how much weight they gave to public chatter. Their focus, he said, was on helping Malik return to normalcy—encouraging him to work, attend meetings, and rebuild his professional life.
In the years since the controversy, Malik has kept a relatively low profile compared to his earlier, more public-facing career. While he has continued to compose music and make occasional television appearances, the MeToo episode remains a significant chapter in his life story—one that has reshaped both his public image and his family’s experience in the entertainment industry.
For Daboo Malik, the lesson seems to be about resilience and the importance of standing by loved ones during their lowest points. “When you see someone going through so much,” he said, “you just have to be there for them.”
Anu Malik’s story—like many that emerged during the MeToo movement—remains complex. For his supporters, he is a gifted composer with decades of contribution to Indian music. For his accusers and critics, the allegations stand as a reminder of the challenges women face in speaking out against powerful men.
What is clear from Daboo Malik’s reflections is that behind every public scandal, there are families grappling with the fallout, often in private, and that the human cost extends beyond headlines and social media debates.
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