Written by Tanisha Cardozo
Mumbai, July 2025: The Hindi film industry finds itself in the eye of another storm, this time involving music composer Amaal Mallik, actor Kartik Aaryan, and podcast host Gaurav Thakur.
In a candid episode on Mirchi Plus, Amaal Mallik opened up about the “power games” and pressure tactics allegedly used by big producers and actors against Kartik Aaryan. Drawing a parallel to the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Mallik remarked on the recurring pattern of isolating outsiders in Bollywood.
“You can see that people are trying the same things, directly or indirectly, with Kartik Aaryan as well… Big producers, big actors, all of them do it,” Mallik stated, while praising Kartik for standing tall with the support of his family.
Shortly after the podcast went live on YouTube, host Gaurav Thakur claimed he began receiving threatening calls, asking him to take the episode down. In an Instagram Story, he wrote:
“I’ve been receiving threat calls asking me to take down the Amaal Mallik podcast because of the revelations he made.”
Thakur clarified that the conversation was not scripted and that Kartik’s PR team was not involved in orchestrating the episode. He firmly stated that he has no intention of removing the podcast.
The episode has triggered widespread reactions across social media. Fans on Reddit and X (Twitter) rallied behind Kartik Aaryan, calling out the alleged “mafia-like” structure of the industry. Many expressed concern, referencing past instances of toxic behavior within Bollywood’s power circles.
“They just want to erase him to protect their own group,” said one Reddit user, while another remarked, “It’s scary but not surprising.”
Kartik Aaryan, once an outsider with no industry backing, has built a solid career with hits like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Satyaprem Ki Katha, and Chandu Champion. Despite repeated reports of him being dropped from big-banner projects, Kartik continues to maintain a strong fan base and professional momentum.
He is now gearing up for a romantic musical opposite actress Sreeleela, and the industry will no doubt be watching closely.
This incident reopens the debate around gatekeeping in Bollywood, the pressure on independent artists, and the power of free speech in creative platforms. As discussions grow louder, voices like Mallik’s and Thakur’s may signal a new era of transparency, solidarity, and accountability in the industry.
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