The tumultuous relationship between acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and celebrated music composer Ismail Darbar has been described as a 'Tom and Jerry-like' dynamic by none other than Ismail's son, Awez Darbar. This revelation came during a recent podcast interview that shed light on one of Bollywood's most complicated professional relationships.
The Volatile Partnership
In an exclusive conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his podcast, Awez Darbar opened up about the frequent clashes between the two creative giants. 'They have a Tom and Jerry-like relationship', Awez revealed, explaining how the duo frequently gets upset over minor issues and abandons projects, only to reconcile later.
The pattern has apparently continued for many years, with Awez noting that from his family's perspective, leaving films seemed like a major decision, but for the two artists, it appeared to be part of their normal working dynamic. 'Our point of view has been stable but they are on a different plane', he shared, expressing his confusion about their unpredictable relationship.
Ego Clashes and Creative Differences
Despite their frequent conflicts, Awez emphasized that both artists maintain deep respect for each other professionally. However, he didn't shy away from pointing out the significant ego clashes that frequently disrupt their collaborations.
When specifically asked if these conflicts led to Ismail Darbar leaving the recent Bhansali project Heeramandi, Awez clarified that this wasn't an isolated incident. 'Not just Heeramandi, all the films... They get back, they make music and then something happens, and the cycle repeats itself', he explained, though he admitted to never witnessing the actual breaking points himself.
The History and Fallout
The Bhansali-Darbar partnership first gained prominence with the massive success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999, which featured some of the most memorable music in Bollywood history. Their subsequent collaboration on Devdas in 2002 received even greater acclaim, but marked the beginning of their professional rift.
In a separate interview with Vickey Lalwani, Ismail Darbar expressed his unwillingness to work with Bhansali under any circumstances, stating dramatically that he would refuse even if offered Rs 100 crore. His exact words were: 'Pehli fursat mein chale jaa yahan se' (Please leave immediately).
Ismail attributed their fallout to Bhansali's discomfort with the composer receiving credit for their collaborative work. 'He understood – when the backbone is Ismail Darbar: I was the backbone in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. I was the backbone in Devdas too', he claimed, suggesting that Bhansali's ego couldn't handle the public recognition Ismail received for their joint musical achievements.
The Unbreakable Cycle
What makes this relationship particularly fascinating is its cyclical nature. Despite the public statements and apparent animosity, Awez confirmed that the two artists repeatedly reunite for new projects, create music together, then fall out again. This pattern has apparently continued over decades, creating what Awez describes as an unpredictable but enduring professional bond.
The relationship exemplifies the complex dynamics often found in creative industries, where artistic egos, mutual respect, and professional necessity create complicated, long-term partnerships that defy conventional understanding.
