Ismail Darbar opens up on interfaith marriage, defends wife Ayesha’s conversion amid criticism: 'My son stands in the pooja, puts a tilak'

Ismail Darbar talks about his interfaith family

• Ismail Darbar has two wives, Farzana and Ayesha.
• Ayesha converted to Islam but was not forced by Ismail Darbar.
• Their son has both a Hindu name, Maan, and a Muslim name, Imaan.

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Music composer Ismail Darbar has been married twice to his wives, Farzana and Ayesha. He has a blended interfaith family as his second wife, Ayesha, was a Hindu before conversion to Islam. He has frequently talked about the interfaith family

The composer married his second wife, Ayesha, while still married to Farzana.

During a recent conversation with Subhojit Ghosh for his YouTube channel, Ismail discussed Ayesha's life after marriage and responded to criticism of her conversion in a recent podcast episode.

The composer 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.”

Ismail responded to those who were making fun of him and his spouse for her decision to convert to Islam after they were married by revealing that their son also has a Hindu name.

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He elaborated, “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.”

While still married to Farzana, Ismail Darbar had mentioned getting married to Ayesha. Additionally, he made it clear that he did not force her into converting to a different religion.

He shares two kids, Awez and Zaif, from his first marriage to Farzana.