Ismail Darbar Recalls Texting Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra For Work: 'They Never Responded'

Music composer Ismail Darbar, famed for chart-topping soundtracks in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas, opened up about his struggles, professional choices and his eventual fallout with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in an interview with Vickey Lalwani.

Darbar recalled reaching out to top filmmakers 15 years ago in hopes of work. “I called and messaged Karan Johar. I also phoned Aditya Chopra. But after a while, I realised there was no point. I can say their response wasn’t even worthy of a reply… they didn’t even consider me worth responding to. Whoever needs someone like me will surely come; those who don’t, won’t,” he said.

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He added that

while he faced financial challenges during lean periods, he never reached a stage where he had to borrow money from anyone. “When I struggled, I did it with pride. Now, the higher power has given me a name and identity I can spend my whole life cherishing,” he reflected.

Creative Differences With Bhansali
Darbar shared how his collaboration with Bhansali was intense and honest from the start. “I was always clear about what I liked and how I wanted things to sound. If Sanjay suggested something I didn’t agree with, I would say it upfront,” he explained.

During their work on Bhansali’s web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Darbar dedicated nearly a year and a half to the music. However, a media report describing his work as the “backbone” of the series caused friction. Bhansali reportedly assumed Darbar had planted the story himself.

“I said, ‘Look, if I have to break the news, I won’t be scared of you; I’ll say it outright that yes, I said it…’ After Sanjay called me in and confronted me, I understood that ‘let it go’ really meant I would eventually be put in a position to leave Heeramandi myself. I left before that could happen,” he recalled.