National Award-winning composer Ismail Darbar has opened up again about his personal life. In a recent podcast, the Devdas composer spoke about the hate he and his second wife faced after her conversion to Islam. He also shared how challenging the last 20 years have been for his family.
Darbar addressed the trolling directly. He spoke honestly about his marriage to Ayesha and the criticism that followed.
Devdas Composer Ismail Darbar On Wife’s Conversion
Ismail Darbar was first married to Farzana, and they have two sons (Awez and Zaid). Nearly two decades ago, while still married, he tied the knot with Ayesha. She was a Hindu before marriage and later converted to Islam.
In an interview with Subhojit Ghosh for his YouTube channel, Darbar reflected on the difficult phase in his life. He said, “20 years of my life have been very tough. But I salute Ayesha for bearing it with me. In fact, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was so close to my family that he told me that I am saved just because of my wife, and if it was not for her, I would have been finished.”
He admitted that the trolling increased after Ayesha changed her religion. However, he made it clear that he did not force her to convert. To explain his family values, he shared an example about his son.
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The composer added, “After one year of my marriage, my son was born and Bhansali named him Imaan. And his Hindu name is Maan. When he goes to his maternal grandparents’ home, he’s called Maan there. He also stands in the pooja, puts a tilak on his forehead. I have taught him to respect the religion in which he was born, but also respect all the other religions.”
Earlier, in a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Darbar spoke about the state of his first marriage at the time. He shared that things were not going well. He said, “Our differences were at a peak. I had actually moved out and had been living in a different house for two months… I didn’t tell her anything, and I straight away went and got married to Ayesha in Surat.”
About The Composer
For those unaware, Ismail Darbar is a respected name in Indian film music. He became widely known for composing music for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas, both directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The songs from these films remain popular even today.
Before becoming a leading composer, Darbar worked as a session violinist with legends such as Laxmikant-Pyarelal and AR Rahman. He later appeared as a judge on several singing reality shows, which made him a familiar face on television.
Despite his musical success, his personal life has often been in the spotlight. His sons, including influencer Awez Darbar and actor Zaid Darbar, have also spoken publicly about the impact of his divorce.
Darbar is known for his outspoken nature. He has had public disagreements in the industry, including a long-standing rift with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He has also criticised the Oscar-winning work of AR Rahman.
