The singer revealed that he introduced celebrated music composer Ismail Darbar to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali — only to discover later that Ismail Darbar allegedly called Kunal Ganjawalla a “bad singer” in front of Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Kunal Ganjawalla shared that during the early phase of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s filmmaking journey, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was searching for a music producer. At the time, Kunal Ganjawalla decided to introduce Ismail Darbar to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, believing the composer was talented and deserved the opportunity.
According to Kunal Ganjawalla, months later, he learned from violinists Yogesh and Prakash, who worked with Ismail Darbar, that Ismail Darbar had bagged Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film. Curious and slightly hurt that Ismail Darbar had not personally informed him, Kunal Ganjawalla called Ismail Darbar’s residence. Ismail Darbar’s wife reportedly answered the phone and thanked Kunal Ganjawalla for introducing Ismail Darbar to Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Kunal Ganjawalla then wondered why Ismail Darbar himself never mentioned it to him. Later, Ismail Darbar called back and allegedly said he was “just about to call.” Kunal Ganjawalla recalled replying that he never expected a song in return for the favor, and that if he had wanted work, he could have approached Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself. Kunal Ganjawalla then cut the call and moved on from the matter.
However, the story did not end there.
Kunal Ganjawalla revealed that sometime later, Sanjay Leela Bhansali personally called him to visit a film set. When Kunal Ganjawalla arrived, Sanjay Leela Bhansali allegedly told him that Ismail Darbar was unhappy seeing him there. Kunal Ganjawalla further claimed that Ismail Darbar had told Sanjay Leela Bhansali that Kunal Ganjawalla was a “bad singer.”
Recalling the emotional moment, Kunal Ganjawalla said he never understood where that opinion came from.
The singer then narrated another interesting incident connected to a television promo recording. At the time, Kunal Ganjawalla was busy searching for a flat in South Bombay when he received a pager message from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s mother, asking him to call back urgently. Kunal Ganjawalla rushed to a PCO booth and contacted Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s mother, who informed him that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was waiting for him at the Spectral Harmony studio to record a promo track.
Kunal Ganjawalla reached the studio immediately, where Sanjay Leela Bhansali reportedly told him, “You introduced Ismail Darbar to me, and now you are going to sing the first promo.”
Kunal Ganjawalla revealed that he learned the song within minutes and completed the recording in just two takes. Impressed by his performance, Sanjay Leela Bhansali allegedly praised Kunal Ganjawalla’s singing abilities and confronted Ismail Darbar for repeatedly claiming that Kunal Ganjawalla could not sing well.
Kunal Ganjawalla ended the anecdote on a lighter note, saying he later told Ismail Darbar, “Still, you have not lost this habit of yours.”
