Sanjay Leela Bhansali and music composer Ismail Darbar shared a celebrated creative partnership in films such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas. Despite delivering some of the most iconic soundtracks in Hindi cinema, the duo never collaborated again after Devdas. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Ismail’s son and Bigg Boss 19 fame Awez Darbar opened up about the unpredictable dynamic between the filmmaker and the composer.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ismail Darbar's complex relationship: "They have a Tom-and-Jerry-like relationship," says Awez Darbar

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ismail Darbar’s complex relationship: “They have a Tom-and-Jerry-like relationship,” says Awez Darbar

Awez Darbar on Bhansali–Darbar Equation

Awez described their relationship as “Tom and Jerry-like,” highlighting how quickly they would bond and fall out again. He said, “They have a Tom-and-Jerry-like relationship. They get mad at each other over the smallest things and leave the project. I have seen this happen many times. For us, it feels like a big deal — ‘Oh God, you left a film?’ Our perspective is stable, but they operate on a different wavelength. And then they patch up and start talking again. I’ve never fully understood their relationship. They respect each other a lot, but there are many ego clashes, from what I can see.”

When asked whether Ismail Darbar exited Heeramandi due to ego issues, Awez said the pattern was not limited to one project. “Not just Heeramandi, all the films… They get back, they make music, and then something happens, and the cycle repeats. I don’t know what exactly happens because I’ve never witnessed it firsthand.”

Ismail Darbar’s Earlier Remarks

In an interview in October, Ismail Darbar had openly stated that he would not work with Bhansali again, even “for Rs. 100 crores,” calling the filmmaker egoistic. He recalled their past collaborations and claimed, “He understood that the backbone was Ismail Darbar — I was the backbone in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam… I was the backbone in Devdas too. I’m not the one saying this — his PR said it; it was on the front pages. So I had seen his ego. Fear crept in that I work so hard, and he takes the credit.”

Ismail Darbar won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in 2000 for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. He also composed music for films such as Shakti: The Power, Kisna: The Warrior Poet, and Mehbooba.

Bhansali’s Upcoming Project

Meanwhile, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently working on his next film, Love & War, starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The film is slated for a theatrical release in 2026.

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