After music director Anu Malik was accused of sexual assault by several women, he had to step down as the judge of the famous music reality show, Indian Idol. His name came up along with the list of Bollywood celebrities who were accused of sexual harassment in regards to the #MeToo movement that gained momentum in India following Tanushree Dutta’s accusation. Singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit were among the many women who accused Anu Malik of sexual misconduct.

Reacting to the accusations, Anu Malik’s nephew and singer-composer Amaal Malik claimed that the experience was humiliating for him as well and that he didn’t count anyone outside his first four family members as family. Speaking on the #MeToo movement, he said, “What happens is, when people talk on social media, it goes a little wrong. When you have alleged someone and taken their name, you should drag it (the matter) to the court and (pursue it) through the judicial system, try to achieve what you want to achieve. Because if you don’t take it ahead, then why did you even do this in the first place.” He also added that Sona Mohapatra was one of his closest friends and that she wouldn’t have brought up his uncle's name without a reason.