Cinema VinesSinger Armaan Malik has delayed the launch of his new track “Gaya Kaam Se,” which was slated for release on July 22, the day of his birthday, in a move that aligns him with students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over a suspected NEET exam paper leak.
On July 21, Malik posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) explaining his decision. He said, “Hey everyone, this next song of mine, ‘Gaya Kaam Se’, I poured my heart into it and it is scheduled to release on 22nd of July which is tomorrow, which is also my birthday. But things just don’t feel right now and I feel like I want to wait a little longer and give it to you when the time feels right and when we’re in better circumstances. So yeah, I hope you understand.” The singer added a photo of the track’s cover art.
The postponement follows the viral footage of police using lathi charges and tear gas against students who were demonstrating at Jantar Mantar. The incident sparked a wave of support from the film and music community, with several celebrities publicly backing the protesters. Malik’s statement on the matter read, “I don't claim to have all the answers, and I believe it's important to understand every issue with care before speaking. But there are some values we should never lose sight of. Students deserve fairness. Peaceful protests deserve respect. Empathy should never be conditional, and dialogue should never be met with indifference. Our country and its people deserve to be heard. Always.”
By choosing to postpone his birthday release, Malik joins a growing list of Indian artists who have used their platforms to express solidarity with the students demanding accountability over the alleged exam leak. The gesture is seen as one of the most prominent from the entertainment industry amid the ongoing protests.
Malik’s decision highlights the broader conversation about the role of public figures in social and political movements, and underscores the impact that celebrity endorsements can have on public discourse. The track is now expected to be released once the situation calms, with the artist promising fans a “better” launch when the time is right.
