New Delhi: Musician Ismail Darbar has found himself at the center of controversy after his recent comment about daughter-in-law Gauhar Khan working after marriage went viral on the internet. Many users have described the musician as “regressive” and “misogynistic”.
In a recent interview with journalist Vicky Lalwani, Darbar praised Gauhar for being a devoted wife and mother, but said he does not support women continuing to work after marriage and motherhood.
He added, “All I know is that she has a great relationship with Zaid and she’s an amazing mother. There’s no harm in being honest about it.”
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The musician further said that although he cannot ask Gauhar Khan not to work, this right rests only with his son Zaid.
Also read: Gauhar Khan and Zaid Darbar name their newborn son Farwan, share a heart-touching post – see picture
He said, “Look, I come from a backward family. Whenever there was any erotic scene in a film, we used to turn away from it. This happens in our house even today. Gauhar is now a part of our family and we are responsible for her reputation. But I cannot ask her not to work; this right belongs only to Zaid. So, I do not indulge in activities that can upset me.”
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How did the Internet react?
Reddit users have taken the musician to task for his statements.
One user commented, “Then who will earn? Gauhar is the most famous and accomplished person in this family.”
Another wrote, “Zeded her husband?! Who even gave her the right to ‘allow’ that? Did she raise him and is she a minor? No! So no one has that right, I guess. Anyway, it’s their personal life – I don’t know her or her husband too well, so I won’t say anything else.”
Calling out the “patriarchal mentality”, a third user wrote, “And what has Zaid achieved so far compared to Gauhar that he has the guts to stop her from working? So according to him, a woman is a child-bearing factory who has to stop earning for herself after becoming a mother.”
Another comment said, “Nagma still has time to run.”
A social media user commented, “People only know your son because of Gauhar. I’ve always considered her a classy lady – I don’t know what she saw in this clown and his obnoxious family.”
“This is absurd and misogynistic!!!” Another wrote.
Gauhar and Zaid’s relationship
Gauahar Khan and Zaid Darbar tied the knot in December 2020 after meeting during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The pair reportedly met at a grocery store, where Zaid later messaged Gauhar on social media, calling her “the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.”
The couple welcomed their first child, son Zehaan, in May 2023, and another child in September 2025.