After Sushant Singh Rajput, Is Bollywood Targeting Kartik Aaryan?

Singer and music composer Amaal Mallik has made startling allegations about the inner workings of Bollywood, claiming that actor Kartik Aaryan is being deliberately sidelined by powerful industry figures—much like what allegedly happened to the late Sushant Singh Rajput. His remarks have reignited long-standing debates around nepotism, power politics, and mental health in the Hindi film industry.

“100 People Are Trying to Remove Him”

In a candid interview with Mirchi Plus, Amaal Mallik spoke openly about what he described as systematic attempts to corner Kartik Aaryan despite his commercial success. Calling Kartik an outsider who earned his place through hard work, Amaal said,

“He’s also a newcomer who has come in, done his bit. Usko bhi 100 log hatane ke firaaq mein hain. Power play karte hain. Sab kuch karte hain bade bade producers, actors.”

According to the composer, Bollywood often functions as a closed ecosystem where those not aligned with powerful camps are pushed out through indirect pressure and manipulation.

Drawing Parallels With Sushant Singh Rajput

Amaal’s strongest statements came when he drew a direct comparison between Kartik Aaryan’s situation and the struggles Sushant Singh Rajput allegedly faced before his death in June 2020.

“Aaj aap dekho, wohi cheezein, directly ya indirectly, Kartik Aaryan ke saath karne ka bhi try karte hain log,” he said, adding that Kartik continues to smile and push forward despite facing similar challenges.

Speaking emotionally about Sushant, Amaal remarked that the industry’s dark side had devastating consequences.

“Itni dark hai ki logo ki life chali gayi. Sushant Singh Rajput nahi handle kar paaye… jo bhi hua—murder ya suicide—but aadmi toh chala gaya.”

Sushant was found dead in his Mumbai apartment at the age of 34, an incident that shocked the nation and led to widespread discussions around nepotism, favoritism, and mental health in Bollywood. His death deeply impacted public perception of the industry.

Public Trust in Bollywood Has Cracked

Amaal believes Sushant’s death permanently altered the audience’s relationship with Hindi cinema.“The public has understood the reality of this industry,” he said, adding that even people outside the film world began seeing Bollywood as a toxic space.He went as far as to say that the industry “deserved” the backlash it faced after 2020, stating that a good man was wronged and accountability was long overdue.

Kartik Aaryan’s Resilience and Support System

Despite the alleged targeting, Amaal acknowledged Kartik Aaryan’s resilience, crediting his strong family support for helping him stay grounded.

“Uske peeche uske mummy, papa poore support ke saath khade hain,” he said.

Kartik, who rose to fame with Pyaar Ka Punchnama and went on to deliver hits like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Satyaprem Ki Katha, and Chandu Champion, remains one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. He is currently gearing up for Anurag Basu’s upcoming musical, slated for a Diwali release.

A Conversation Bollywood Can’t Ignore

Amaal Mallik’s statements have once again brought uncomfortable truths to the forefront—about power imbalance, exclusion of outsiders, and the mental toll of survival in the film industry. Five years after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, his comments suggest that systemic issues remain unresolved.

As Bollywood continues to struggle with its credibility and connection with audiences, voices like Amaal’s may force the industry to confront realities it has long tried to brush aside.