Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and music composer Ismail Darbar created some of Bollywood’s most unforgettable work together. Their films ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Devdas’ are still remembered for grand visuals, strong emotions, and beautiful music. But behind the success, their personal and professional bond was full of highs and lows.In a recent chat, Ismail’s son and Bigg Boss 19 fame Awez Darbar gave a fresh look at their equation, describing it as a “Tom and Jerry-like” relationship filled with respect, creative energy and constant ego clashes.
Awez Darbar describes their unusual creative pattern
Speaking with Siddharth Kannan, Awez shared how his father and Bhansali often moved between friendship and conflict during their film work. He said, “They have a Tom and Jerry-like relationship. They get mad at each other over the smallest of things and leave the project. I have seen this a lot. For us, it becomes a big thing, ‘Oh God, you have left a film?’ Our point of view is stable, but they are on a different plane. And then they get back as well. They start talking again. So I have never understood their relationship. In their hearts, they respect each other a lot, but there are a lot of ego clashes, as far as I can see.”
Awez Darbar hints at repeated film fallouts
When asked if ego issues caused Ismail to leave ‘Heeramandi’, Awez revealed that such clashes were not limited to one project. He shared, “Not just Heeramandi, all the films… They get back, they make music, and then something happens, and the cycle repeats itself. I don’t know what happens because I have never witnessed it myself.”
Ismail Darbar on working with Bhansali
The tension between the two was confirmed by Ismail himself in an interaction with Vickey Lalwani back in October this year. He said he would no longer work with Bhansali, even if offered a very large sum.Ismail stated, “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 had crept in that I work so hard, and he takes the credit.”
Ismail’s major success and later projects
Ismail Darbar won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ in 2000, marking a milestone in his career. His music in ‘Devdas’ also won wide praise from fans and critics. After these films, the two never worked together again. Ismail went on to compose for projects like ‘Shakti: The Power’, ‘Kisna: The Warrior Poet’ and ‘Mehbooba’, but fans still remember his earlier work with Bhansali as a defining chapter.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film
Meanwhile, Bhansali is busy with his next big project ‘Love & War’. The film stars Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles, and is set to release in theatres in 2026. Go to Source
