Veteran composer Ismail Darbar has spoken about his exit from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, alleging he was replaced without prior communication. In an interview with Subhojit Ghosh on YouTube, Darbar said he had worked on the project for nearly one-and-a-half years, but Bhansali did not inform him before bringing in a new music plan.
The Composer’s Side of the Story
Darbar claimed he learned about his replacement from external sources. “I had worked on Heeramandi for 1.5 years, and he didn’t tell me before replacing me,” he said, adding that the lack of a direct conversation hurt after years of collaboration.
Darbar and Bhansali previously collaborated on films including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002)—soundtracks that remain widely remembered.
Heeramandi’s Music Credits (verified)
Heeramandi, released on Netflix in May 2024, credits Sanjay Leela Bhansali as the composer on the official soundtrack album released under Bhansali Music. The OST includes tracks such as “Tilasmi Bahein,” “Sakal Ban,” “Azadi,” and “Chaudhavi Shab,” with lyric credits prominently featuring A.M. Turaz on multiple songs, along with adaptations of traditional works.
Bhansali has not been reported as issuing a direct response to Darbar’s latest remarks in the coverage so far.
-By Manoj H