Ismail Darbar Apologizes to the Oscar Committee

Posted by admin on Jun 18th, 2011 | 0 comments

Looks like Ismail Darbar has wizened up after there were rumors that the Academy planned to sue him for USD 50,000 million. He had said accused A.R. Rahman on a public forum that the Oscar winning music director had bought it by bribing the committee. Rahman had won 2 Oscars in 2008 for the Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Jai Ho) for Slumdog Millionaire.

After his insinuations that these awards were bought for a price, the Academy for Motion Arts and Sciences decided to sue him for defamation. Darbar then changed his stance and said that he had nothing against the Oscars but just wanted to give ‘advice to good friend’ Rahman to better his music that has been falling apart lately.

Darbar says, “I am grateful that I have been respected in the industry for my work. I did say some things about Rahman, because as a friend I want to jolt him out of his reverie and start giving good music. I chose a public platform to do it, because he wouldn’t listen to me otherwise. I have nothing against the Oscars. It is the most respected award, the whole world acknowledges it, and I do, too. If any of them (Academy) are hurt by my comments, I apologize to them.”

Darbar says he is not saying this out of fear of anyone, but God. “I am not scared. The truth is, I realize that those people who respected me for my work, might misunderstand me and think I am baddimag (arrogant person). Also, the fact is, I can have nothing against the Oscar panel or those behind the awards. My issue was with Rahman and I guess he’s got the message by now.”

When asked if he was in a position to pay $50,000 million, Ismail said he obviously couldn’t afford it. 250 crore rupaiye ! Please tell them to take me instead. I will be of some help to them,” he said.