Ismail Darbar, a music composer best known for writing iconic scores for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali recently talked about the difficulties he encountered following his split from the director.

Darbar claimed that the breakup hurt his career and that he didn't hear back from top Bollywood producers Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.

Ismail Darbar stated in an open interview with Vickey Lalwani, “I tried 15 years ago. I called up and sent messages to Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra, I don’t have a problem taking their names. Their response was such that I cannot even call it a response, we might as well say that they never responded.”

He continued by saying that he didn't receive the type of work he was hoping for, even after multiple attempts to get back in touch with the industry.

“They are approaching me, but not with offers worthy of me,” Darbar said.

Darbar talked much about his difficult connection with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, claiming that it cost him numerous opportunities in his career. He asserted that Bhansali started to feel uneasy about his films' popularity being attributed to the music.

“He played with my emotions for years and took advantage of me,” Darbar said.

He talked about how his most recent collaboration with Bhansali, Heeramandi on Netflix opened his eyes. He claimed to have spent more than a year working on the series before deciding to leave when he realised he was going to lose his job due to a miscommunication. Darbar claims that the problem started when Bhansali was reportedly offended by a news report that called him "the biggest star of the project."

When asked about his financial situation Darbar acknowledged that the lack of work had an impact on it but he said he had never needed to take out a loan to get by. He claimed that even in difficult times, he never changed his way of life.

He also recalled how Bhansali would frequently ask him how he was able to support himself financially, to which he would reply that God provides for everyone and that raising a single family is not hard. Darbar went on to say that although his financial situation continues to worry people, his lifestyle has only gotten better over time.