New Delhi: Singer-composer Amaal Mallik’s now-deleted post in which he blamed his family for his clinical depression and announced severing of ties with them has received overwhelming support from people online. Amaal’s stand has started a new debate on “toxic Indian parents.” But the artist is now requesting privacy.
On Thursday, the singer dropped a new statement on Instagram, requesting media outlets to not harass his family or sensationalise his vulnerability.
He had spoken about his struggles with clinical depression and also his strained relationship with his brother Armaan, attributing it to his parents’ influence.
Amaal is the elder son of Daboo Malik, who is a music director, composer, singer, actor, and scriptwriter. His younger son, Armaan, also is a singer-composer.
Daboo Malik is the younger brother of singer Anu Malik.
“Thank you for all the love and support. It truly means a lot, but I would request the media portals to not harass my family… Please don’t sensationalise and give negative headlines to my vulnerability..It’s a request,” Amaal wrote on Instagram.
The singer added that he will continue to love his family, “but, for now, from afar.”
He further mentioned that “nothing changes” between him and his brother Armaan.
“Armaan and I are one and nothing can come between us,” Amaal added.
Public support
While some backed Amaal’s decision, others opened up about their own toxic relationship with their parents.
“Good decision, sometimes getting detached is the only way to reclaim your own life,” an Instagram user wrote.
“Depression hits you hard when the reason is your parents,” another commented.
“It’s high time people start talking about toxic Indian parents. If you don’t have a support system, they can very well rob you off mental sanity and break you,” a person said.
Many Instagram users called Amaal an inspiration for children who never tend to speak against their parents, even when they are in the wrong.
“In India we are taught that parents are always right and want the best for us and we should respect them but that’s not true always. More and more kids like Amaal need to call out their parents for making their life difficult,” Rohan said.
Another user suggested that “more kids should do this for the betterment of their mental health…kudos to him.”
Also read: Yuzvendra Chahal & Dhanashree Verma granted divorce. Cricketer to pay ex-wife Rs 4.75 crore alimony
Mental health struggles
Amaal had mentioned that despite creating 126 songs over a decade-long career in the music industry, he felt undervalued in the family, which later, he explained, had a significant effect on his mental health and self-esteem.
“The journey has been terrific for both of us but the actions of my parents have been the reason we as brothers have gone too far from one another and all of this has made me step in for myself as it has left a very deep scar across my heart. Through the last many years, they have left no opportunity to disturb my well-being and belittle all my friendships, my relationships, my mindset, my self-confidence,” his post read.
“What really matters is that I am clinically depressed because of these happenings. Yes, I have only myself to blame for my actions but my self-worth has been diminished countless times by the actions of near and dear ones that stole pieces of my soul,” Amaal added.
Bollywood and toxic family ties have surfaced in the past as well. Around two decades ago, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai actor Ameesha Patel’s fallout with her family was widely discussed in the media. The actor had sued her father accusing him of mishandling her finances and assets.
Ameesha had chosen to distance herself from her family, citing personal and professional conflicts as the reasons for the fallout. However, the family feud later ended.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)