Ismail Darbar sparks outrage after saying son 'Zaid can stop Gauahar Khan from working'; netizens call remark regressive

Ismail Darbar shared his views on Gauhar Khan work

Music composer Ismail Darbar, who has composed music for films like Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, is making headlines for his bold remarks about his second marriage and his disagreement with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and other topics.

In a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Ismail Darbar has also talked about his daughter-in-law, Gauahar Khan. He claimed during the conversation that he does not feel very comfortable with his daughter-in-law working.

The music composer also recalled how his wife sacrificed her thriving career to raise the family.

Talking about actress Gauahar Khan, Ismail Darbar said, “All I know is that she has a wonderful relationship with Zaid, and that she is a wonderful mother. There is no harm in being honest about this.”

“However, the greatest thing my wife Ayesha did was stop working for her child’s sake. She was making Rs 5 lakh a month through shows at the time and was also getting acting offers. But she never said that she wanted to sing or perform. Even when I was in need of money, she didn’t offer to earn for us,” added the music composer.

Ismail Darbar also noted that he came from a backward family and continued, “Look, I come from a backward family. We used to turn away whenever a sensuous type of scene came in a movie. This happens in our house even today.”

He further suggested, “Gauahar is a part of our family now, and we are responsible for her reputation. But I can’t tell her not to work; that right belongs only to Zaid. So, I don’t indulge in activities that might bother me.”

Ismail Darbar elaborated, “I’m not one to mince my words. I know that I will not be able to tolerate what I see, and if I am not able to tolerate what I see, I will confront them.”

Ismail Darbar received brutal backlash for his comment over his comment on social media. Several critics took to Reddit to slam the music composer.

One person wrote, “Toh ghar kya Zaid ke unfunny TikTok se chalainge?” Another commented, “That’s not the point. Ismail Darbar has created legendary music. Just that it’s so darn judgmental.”

A third person wrote, “Bhai wahi traditional mentality, aurat hai toh ghar pe rahe and shit. And to be honest, Zaid had established nothing in comparison to Gauhar toh bs wahi scene hai. Bc apne chutiye launde ko bolo kuch kaam kare dhang ka instead bahu ko ki ghar pe rahe.”

A fourth person wrote, “Zaid her husband?! Who even gave him the right to give "permission " . Did he raised her and Is a minor ?! No ! So no noone have that right ig . Anyways thier personal life - I don't even know her that well or her husband or anything related so I won't say anything more.”

Thoughts about this take!? byu/Significant-Trade-13 inInstaCelebsGossip

Gauahar Khan has recently shared a post on motherhood, soon after Ismail Darbar’s controversial comment.

The post reads, "Raising a boy is a beautiful kind of chaos. He runs instead of walks, climbs instead of sits, and shouts instead of whispers- yet he still pauses to kiss your cheek, grab your hand and call you beautiful with peanut butter on his face."

The message was shared with videos of her most recent work, which expressed her desire to continue working professionally.

Actress Gauahar Khan started dating Zaid Darbar after he slid into her Instagram DMs in mid-2020. The couple sparked a romance and got engaged in November 2020.

However, Gauahar and Zaid tied the knot on December 25, 2020. The couple welcomed their first child, Zehaan, in 2023 and their second son, Farwaan, in September 2025.