Mumbai: Veteran musician Anu Malik was honored with the title of ‘Patriotic Melody Maestro of the Year’ at the 4th edition of Zee Real Heroes Awards 2026 for his contribution to patriotic music and Indian cinema.
Zee Real Heroes Awards celebrates individuals for their notable achievements in innovation, business, healthcare, entertainment and arts.
During a conversation with host Manoj Muntashir, Anu Malik revealed what inspires her to work actively even at the age of 65. He said that his inspiration comes from his late father, famous musician Sardar Malik.
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Malik said, “I saw that my father was not getting enough work despite being so talented and knowledgeable. I wanted to be something not only for myself, but for him as well.”
Addressing his passion for music, he said, “You must have heard that Anu Malik is not afraid to ask for work. I ask for work so that people will see what I feel is deep inside.”
He further recalled a lesson taught to him by his father: “Keep the seeds planted in the middle, you never know when the rains will come.”
Anu Malik on Border 2 and its immortal songs
Speaking about the iconic songs of JP Dutta’s film Border, Malik credited both filmmaker and lyricist Javed Akhtar for shaping the soundtrack, which remains timeless even after 27 years.
“When asked why the songs of Border still feel relevant today and why they do not need any change, I give credit to JP Dutta and Javed Akhtar,” he said.
Malik revealed that he had initially composed a love song for the film, but JP Dutta rejected it the next day.
Malik shared, “He explained to me through pictures what our Army, Navy and Air Force go through which cannot be expressed in words. He told me that he did not want any love songs or item numbers. He wanted songs that would live forever for the country.”
Reflecting the patriotic spirit of the film, Anu Malik said, “There was no better country than this, nor is there, nor will there be.”
About Zee Real Heroes Awards
Zee Real Heroes Awards brings together thought leaders, achievers, policy makers and members of the media fraternity. Through its dialogue segment, the program encourages dialogue on leadership in times of change, innovation and the role of authentic storytelling in shaping a progressive India.
Over the years, Zee Real Heroes has honored leading personalities like Ajay Devgan, Anupam Kher, Kartik Aryan, Pankaj Tripathi and Paralympian Navdeep Singh along with many changemakers from across the country.
This initiative reflects Zee Media’s commitment towards nation-building journalism by celebrating real stories of perseverance and achievement that continue to inspire the nation.