Daboo Malik is an Indian music director, composer, singer, actor and scriptwriter. Born into a musical family in Mumbai, he has worked in films and live shows for decades
He is also the father of two successful sons in music, composer Amaal Mallik and singer Armaan Malik.
Over the years he has written music for films, sung songs, acted in projects, created live shows, and mentored younger artists including his sons. His story is not just about credits on a soundtrack.
It is about persistence, late career reinvention, family bonds, and finding ways to keep music alive on stage and screen.
This article traces his life and career, lists key statistics, offers a clear filmography snapshot, answers common questions, and links to reliable sources for further reading.
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Table of Contents
Daboo Malik’s Biography
Early life and background
Daboo Malik was born into a family already steeped in film music.
His father, Sardar Malik, had worked as a music director, and the household gave Daboo and his brothers early exposure to melody, studio conversations and the discipline of composing.
The family environment created both opportunity and pressure. Growing up in Mumbai, Daboo saw first hand what it takes to make music for cinema.
A close family connection to lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri, who was Daboo’s maternal uncle, broadened the musical network in the household.1
Like many children of industry professionals, Daboo learned by listening and by being in the rooms where decisions were made.
He tried different creative roles before settling into composing, singing and occasionally acting. That mix of experiences later helped him adapt to both studio work and stage performance.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Israr Sardar “Daboo” Malik. |
| Date of birth | 21 January 1963. |
| Age | 62 years (as of 19 Nov 2025). |
| Birthplace | Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Maharashtra, India. |
| Father | Sardar Malik (music director). |
| Notable brothers | Anu Malik and Abu Malik (both in music). |
| Spouse | Jyothi (also sometimes spelled “Jyoti” in public reports). |
| Children | Two sons: Amaal Mallik (composer) and Armaan Malik (singer). |
| Main professions | Music director, composer, singer, actor, scriptwriter. |
| Active years | Late 1980s to present, with steady work in films and live shows over several decades. |
| Notable film work | Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (music work). |
| Social presence | Active on Instagram and other platforms where he shares music and show updates. |
Career Arc: From films to live shows
First steps and film projects
Daboo Malik’s name began to appear in film credits in the 1990s and 2000s. He worked as a music director and composer for several Hindi films.
Not all projects were commercial blockbusters but many offered songs that lived beyond the film. He is associated with titles such as Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar and Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge.
He has also been credited with music work on films like Maine Dil Tujhko Diya and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam in various roles across composing and arrangements.
IMDb lists him with acting and music credits which show that his work covered different parts of production. IMDb+1
Songwriting and singing
Daboo has performed songs as a playback singer and has written music that other vocalists recorded.
While he is best known in broader public memory for his behind-the-scenes work as a composer, his singing and occasional vocal recordings added another string to his bow.
He also performed live shows where he mixed film songs with tribute sets to classic composers.
Live shows, tributes and the stage
In later years Daboo built a second chapter of his career around live shows and musical tributes. Shows like The Unforgettables paid homage to icons such as R. D. Burman and Kishore Kumar.
He used these platforms to reconnect with audiences and to present live arrangements that celebrate classic Indian film music. These shows also allowed him to present his own compositions and stories about the music world.
Reports and interviews show him speaking warmly about the Khan family and about the support he received during difficult times. Live shows also helped him maintain a public presence as music for films shifted and the live circuit grew more important for veteran composers.
Writing and scripting
Beyond composing, Daboo has taken on writing and scripting duties. In some projects he has acted as the scriptwriter while also composing the score.
This crossover points to an interest in storytelling beyond pure melody. It also indicates a willingness to evolve creatively rather than remain fixed solely in the music room.
Style, Influences and Musical identity
Daboo Malik grew up with the golden era of Hindi film music as a living reference. His family was close to lyricists and composers of the prior generation, and he absorbed those styles.
He tends to favor melodic structures that sit comfortably in the film format. In live shows he often arranges tributes to R. D. Burman, Kishore Kumar and other icons. These choices reveal both affection for the past and an awareness of what listeners remember and cherish.
His productions combine traditional film-music sensibilities with modern recording techniques.
The result is music that sounds familiar to fans of classic Hindi songs but which can work in contemporary settings when mixed with new arrangements. Daboo’s songs are usually vocal-led, with attention to melody and lyrical clarity.
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Personal life and Family
Daboo Malik and his wife Jyothi have two sons. Both sons found success in music in different roles.
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Amaal Mallik — older son. He is a composer and producer. Amaal has composed songs for mainstream films and has a profile as a young composer who worked with big names early in his career.
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Armaan Malik — younger son. He is a playback singer who gained popularity for his voice across languages and for steady chart presence. Armaan has a large fan following and is often in the public eye.
Family life has sometimes been difficult. In 2025 public reports surfaced about tensions between Amaal and the rest of the family. Amaal made statements on social media about feeling undermined and deciding to sever ties.
That disclosure triggered public conversations and media coverage. Daboo and other family members publicly responded, and Daboo later expressed regret and sought to make amends. These are private matters that became public because all involved are public figures.
Media coverage has included interviews and reporting from major outlets which documented statements, apologies and efforts at reconciliation. The reporting shows the emotional and complicated reality of families that work in the same industry. 2
Beyond the very public tensions, Daboo has been described in interviews as a father who sacrificed for his children’s careers. In multiple reports he mentions financial pressure and the choices he made to support his sons’ musical education.
Those elements of the story highlight the uneven nature of success in the film world and the personal costs that families sometimes carry. 3
Filmography Highlights
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Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar — music-related work.
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Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge — associated musical contribution.
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Maine Dil Tujhko Diya — music credit.
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Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam — involvement in music department on projects of that era.
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Hawas (2004) — credited in film score categories.
For a full list of films scored or songs recorded, consult IMDb and Wikipedia which maintain searchable credit lists.
Notable public moments and recent coverage
From 2024 through 2025 Daboo remained active publicly through awards, concerts and interviews. He was honoured at events marking his contributions to the music business.
He also performed tribute shows, and he spoke publicly about his relationship with the Khan family and others in the industry. In 2025 several news outlets covered a family dispute when Amaal made statements about severing ties.
That story prompted follow up reporting, statements from Daboo, interviews with family members and a broader conversation about mental health and family dynamics in the entertainment world. Major outlets like The Times of India, Economic Times, Indian Express, and others covered different angles of the situation and of Daboo’s ongoing professional life.
Stats Table
| Metric | Approximate count / short note |
|---|---|
| Years active in industry | Roughly 30+ years in music and film (credits from 1990s onward). |
| Films with musical credits | 10–20 (depending on how one counts background score vs full soundtrack credits). |
| Live shows and tributes | Multiple recurring shows including The Unforgettables and tributes to R.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar. |
| Sons in industry | 2 (Amaal Mallik, Armaan Malik). |
| Public interviews and features (selected) | Interviews with Bollywood Hungama and features in major Indian newspapers and magazines in 2024-2025. |
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FAQ’s
Q: What is Daboo Malik’s real name?
A: His full name is Israr Sardar Malik, though he is widely known by his professional name Daboo Malik.
Q: When was he born and how old is he now?
A: Daboo Malik was born on 21 January 1963. As of 19 November 2025 he is 62 years old.
Q: Who are his children and what do they do?
A: He has two sons. Amaal Mallik is a music composer and producer. Armaan Malik is a playback singer with a large fan base. Both are active in the Indian music industry.
Q: Has Daboo Malik acted in films?
A: Yes. In addition to music work, Daboo has acting credits listed on public databases like IMDb. His career has spanned multiple creative roles including acting and scriptwriting.
Q: What are his most famous songs or films?
A: Some of the better known film associations include Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge and Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar where he contributed music. He is also known for arranging and performing live tributes that celebrate classic film composers. For a full list consult IMDb and major music databases.
Q: Are there public reports about family disputes?
A: Yes. In 2025 Amaal Mallik publicly stated he was cutting ties with family members. The matter received wide media coverage. Daboo Malik later addressed the issue publicly and there were follow up interviews about regret, reconciliation attempts and family disagreements. Media outlets including The Times of India, Economic Times and Indian Express covered these developments.
Q: What is Daboo Malik’s net worth?
A: Public estimates of celebrity net worth vary widely and are often based on social media earnings, appearances and business deals. There is no official public financial filing that confirms a precise number. Various online sources publish estimates, but treat these figures as approximate.
Q: Where can I listen to his music?
A: Songs and projects that Daboo worked on can be found on music streaming platforms and on film soundtrack releases. Search for his name on major streaming services or check the film credits on streaming platforms. His sons Amaal and Armaan also have music widely available which occasionally credits Daboo in related interviews or liner notes.
Conclusion
Daboo Malik’s life is an example of the many ways that musical careers evolve. He comes from a family with deep roots in film music.
He has worked as a composer and singer and has found new energy in live shows and tributes. He helped raise two sons who became successful young music professionals in their own right. The family story has had public highs and painful lows.
Whatever the headlines, Daboo’s contribution to film music and to live tribute performances is part of his lasting public footprint.
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