**Bhansali ‘Upset’ Salman by Casting SRK for ‘Devdas’? Composer Ismail Darbar Reveals Details**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 8, 2025, 5:19 PM*
In a recent interview, composer Ismail Darbar shed light on the rumored fallout between director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and superstar Salman Khan. Darbar suggested that Bhansali’s decision to cast Shah Rukh Khan in the iconic film *Devdas* might have been the reason their friendship soured.
Despite their close relationship at the time, Bhansali chose Shah Rukh Khan for *Devdas*—a film that went on to become a defining moment in SRK’s career. Reflecting on this, Darbar said, “My heart tells me that his equation with Salman soured because he hired Shah Rukh for *Devdas*. Isn’t it obvious? If I help you out twice, and the third time, you go and hire my competitor, I would be upset.”
Salman had previously collaborated with Bhansali on *Khamoshi*, and they worked together again despite the film’s failure at the box office. Darbar emphasized the emotional aspect of Bhansali’s choice and the impact it may have had on their professional relationship.
Addressing rumors that Bhansali avoided casting Salman due to the presence of his rumored ex Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in *Devdas*, Darbar commented, “The news of their fights were all over the media. We used to feel bad; they were so close, they shouldn’t have been fighting. But these are all things of the past; even Salman is smart enough to never speak about it.”
In the same interview, Darbar also opened up about his own strained relationship with Bhansali, candidly calling the director “egoistic.”
The revelations offer a rare glimpse into the complex dynamics behind the scenes of some of Bollywood’s most celebrated collaborations.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/bhansali-betrayed-salman-by-signing-srk-for-devdas/story