I am the same man

“In my 25 years of experience in the music industry in India, I have never spared an opportunity to better the standards that I have set for myself,” says Ismail Darbar. Famed for his hit music compositions for films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Kisna, Darbar saab, has now set his eyes on television.
His latest piece of art is the title track for a teleserial, Paraaya Dhan. “Whenever we think of Lord Krishna, we think of a man, but I see god in girls as well,” explains the music director. “The music will have all elements of drama, necessary for a serial on television, yet, it will be distinct from all my former work.”
Though being a name to reckon with in the industry for over a decade now, Darbar saab, only got to the limelight when he became a judge for the successful reality music competition, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005. “Before the shooting of that serial, I was the same Ismail Darbar walking down the roads or shopping, but I was never recognised. After the serial, people started approaching me and asking me for autographs. I can’t deny that I like the experience,” he says. Though he adds in the same breath,” People respect me for my work, not just because I am on the television.”
He credits the producers of the hit programme for his new-found fame. “I was always there, it was the concept that brought me to the fore as a person.”
As for the plethora of talent pooling into the industry following a number of similar hit music contests, Darbar saab is more than happy. “Everything has a time. There was a time when a particular actor had only a particular singer for playback which helped the masses relate to the actors easily. Now, times have changed. People want variety, more so because it is available,” he emphasises. “I wish now that when I joined the industry, even I would have been blessed with a godfather,” he laughs. “These guys have already won half their struggles in the industry with the grooming of the best music directors in the country,” he says of his students at the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005. “All that counts now, is their honesty and hard work.”

Published in Hindustan Times Next on October 4, 2006