Music composer Amaal Mallik has candidly addressed his strained professional equation with T-Series head Bhushan Kumar, revealing that certain individuals may have influenced the music mogul’s perception of him. Speaking in an interview with Shardul Pandit, Amaal recounted how turning down an offer to compose remixes for a T-Series project led to a fallout that “shocked” Bhushan. Bhushan Kumar as a Father Figure in the Industry Despite the rift, Amaal emphasised that there is no personal animosity towards the label or Bhushan Kumar, whom he described as an “industry father.” “It’s like a very stepfather–stepson relationship. Salman Khan launched me, but Bhushan Kumar held my hand and took me to the biggest movies and production houses purely on belief in my talent. He’s completely responsible for Amaal Mallik becoming Amaal Mallik,” he said. Acknowledging Bhushan’s influence, he added, “He’s the biggest man in music, the biggest label in the country. He can literally decide who becomes a star.” The Creative Disagreement Asked what made him stand his ground, Amaal said it came down to his vision for music. “My understanding about how music should be made. I tell him to his face that I won’t do certain things. He may have an ego about it — if I was that big, maybe even I would’ve had. I don’t blame him,” Amaal admitted. He recalled that Bhushan was initially taken aback by his refusals. “He was shocked that I was turning down his movies. But I know no one has delivered 40 hits immediately after starting out; I have. If there is one person who has given more hits with T-Series, it’s Himesh Reshammiya. But if you tell me to remake Aashiq Banaya or Masakalli, I won’t. I don’t want to. Why should I? I’m working so hard to build my family’s legacy, and I don’t want listeners’ brickbats.” Choosing Integrity Over Comfort Amaal admitted that his decision to reject remix projects came with its own risks. “When I left Bhushan’s hand, he left mine. He went ahead with the remixes regardless. My parents were scared, my friends were worried, and even I was in two minds about it. But I know he has a soft corner for me. When a man is very big, there will be people around him who will poison him,” he said. He stressed that despite their disagreements, he has never been disrespectful. “I’ve never said, ‘Jaa, nahi kar raha yeh picture’ in a rude way. I’ve always been respectful.” Amaal’s comments paint a picture of a creative relationship built on mutual respect but tested by artistic differences, industry politics, and the pressures of commercial music-making. While the professional rift may have created distance, his words suggest a lingering warmth and admiration for the man who once championed his career.