Ismail Darbar breaks silence on wife Preeti aka Ayesha’s conversion to Islam, denies infidelity: ‘She did it of her own free will’

Music director Ismail Darbar has spoken candidly about his personal life, addressing long-standing rumours surrounding his marriage to his second wife, Ayesha (formerly Preeti), and clarifying that her conversion to Islam was entirely her choice. In a recent interview, the celebrated composer also set the record straight on allegations of infidelity and shared rare insights into his family dynamics.

Darbar revealed that when he met Ayesha, he was already separated from his first wife, Farzana, after years of incompatibility. “There was no conflict, just a growing distance between us,” he explained to Vickey Lalwani. When asked if his sons held any resentment, he praised their maturity, saying, “They understood the situation and never judged me. I’m proud of how they’ve handled everything.”

‘She said yes after an hour-long drive’

Refuting claims of betrayal, Darbar recalled the moment he proposed to Ayesha. “After an argument with Farzana, I called Ayesha, and we went for a drive. After an hour, I stopped the car and asked her to marry me. She said yes. To be honest, I had started developing feelings for her. She admired my work and became attached to me after our long conversations,” he shared.

Darbar added that Ayesha’s decision to embrace Islam came purely from her own conviction, not under any persuasion. “She converted because she wanted to. There was no pressure from my side,” he clarified firmly.

‘She left her glamour career for our family’

The composer also credited Ayesha for giving up her flourishing entertainment career to focus on their home and children. “She dresses me even today, she ties my shoelaces. She left her glamour career behind for our children,” he said affectionately.

Darbar’s sons, Awez and Zaid Darbar, who are well-known digital creators, share a warm bond with Ayesha. “They lovingly call her ‘Ayesha mummy’ and respect her deeply for the way she’s brought up their younger brother, Imaan,” he revealed.

Best known for his evocative scores in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002), Ismail Darbar remains one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated composers — and his recent candidness offers a rare look at the man behind the music, balancing love, faith, and family with grace.