Ismail Darbar breaks silence on feuds with Pritam, A.R. Rahman, Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Mumbai: Music composer Ismail Darbar, known for his work in acclaimed films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas, has opened up about his strained relationships with fellow composers Pritam, A.R. Rahman, and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, while also reflecting on his journey and the changing face of Bollywood music.
Speaking on Vickey Lalwani’s podcast, Darbar revisited several controversies from his career and offered candid insights into his past remarks. “I won’t say things like ‘today’s music isn’t good at all.’ I like it a lot. There are people who’ve been working for a long time and are still making good music. Songs like Kalank or Saiyaara are great, and I listen to Kalank at least once a week,” he said.
Darbar revealed that despite past friction with Pritam, he once called the composer to congratulate him for Kalank, though he later laughed it off as a misplaced gesture. “The rift happened because I once called him a ‘chor’ (thief). Since then, he’s been miffed with me. Everyone borrows music; no one is walking a straight line. Even I’ve done it, but I’ve been honest about it. Later, I found out Kalank too was inspired, so I thought, ‘Faltu call kar diya’ (I called him unnecessarily),” he said jokingly.
Addressing his long-standing comments about A.R. Rahman’s Oscar win for Slumdog Millionaire, Darbar maintained that he stood by his earlier statement that the award had been “bought.” He claimed the Academy had contacted him following those remarks. “They called me and said they’d charge me with slander unless I gave them proof. I told them, ‘Come here, and I’ll give you proof.’ No one came, everyone ran away. That’s because it was the truth,” he said, while adding that he later sent Rahman a message apologising for criticising such a prestigious honour.
Darbar also spoke about his fallout with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, with whom he had collaborated on several iconic soundtracks. Making his stance clear, he said reconciliation was out of the question. “Today, if Sanjay comes and says, ‘Please do the music for my film, I’ll give you ₹100 crore,’ I’ll tell him, ‘Pehli fursat mein chale jaa yahan se’ (Leave immediately),” Darbar said firmly.
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Karnataka: Six men break into jewellery shop; loot gold, silver worth over Rs 40 lakh
Haveri (Karnataka) (PTI): Six unidentified men allegedly broke into a jewellery shop and decamped with gold and silver articles worth over Rs 40 lakh in this district in the wee hours of Saturday, police said.
The theft occurred at a jewellery shop in Chikkanshihosur village in Hanagal taluk of Haveri district between 1.45 am and 2.30 am, they said.
According to police, the six men, with their faces covered and wearing gloves, allegedly broke into the shop after midnight by cutting open both shutters.
After gaining entry, they covered three of the four CCTV cameras installed inside the shop and decamped with a safe locker. However, their act was recorded on one CCTV camera that was not covered.
Citing preliminary investigations, a senior police officer said 19 kg of silver items worth Rs 21 lakh and 219 grams of gold ornaments worth Rs 22 lakh were stolen from the shop.
A case of theft has been registered, he said.
“We have some clues about the vehicle used to transport the stolen jewellery, and efforts are underway to trace the vehicle and nab the suspects involved in the theft,” he added.
Further investigation is underway.
