The debate over career versus family in the lives of married women, especially those in the public eye, has once again been ignited by Bollywood music composer Ismail Darbar. His recent comments regarding his daughter-in-law, popular actress Gauahar Khan, and her professional life after marriage and motherhood have sparked a viral conversation across social media platforms.

The Root of the Controversy

In a recent interview, Ismail Darbar, known for his work in films like Devdas, openly praised Gauahar Khan, who married his son Zaid Darbar in 2020 and is now a mother to two sons, Zehaan and Farwaan, as a "wonderful mother." However, this praise was quickly overshadowed by his personal views on her continuing to work.

Darbar implied he is not in favor of women continuing their careers after motherhood. To illustrate his traditional perspective, he cited the example of his second wife, Ayesha, who gave up a promising career to dedicate herself to their family. He candidly admitted to coming from a "backward family" with old-fashioned sensibilities. "We used to turn away whenever a sensuous type of scene would come in a movie. This happens in our house even today," he stated, adding that he avoids watching Gauahar's work to prevent confrontations.

The 'Right' to Interfere: A Question of Autonomy

While expressing his personal disapproval, Darbar was careful to clarify the boundaries of his influence. He stated that he does not have the right to tell Gauahar to quit her profession, emphasizing: "I can't tell her not to work; that right belongs only to Zaid." This particular statement—shifting the 'right' of professional consent to the husband—has drawn significant criticism online, with many labeling his views as regressive and patriarchal.

In the face of the controversy, Gauahar Khan posted a cryptic note on social media, focusing on the beauty of "raising a boy" amid the chaos, a subtle yet powerful affirmation of her focus on both motherhood and her continued professional life, seemingly unfazed by the external "noise."

The Public Weighs In: Personal Freedom or Family Expectations?

The entire episode brings an important, perennial question to the forefront: Should family elders have a say in a celebrity’s career choices, or should personal freedom come first?

The celebrity world often operates on an individual's talent and brand, an ecosystem where one's professional choices are a matter of personal and financial independence. For a working professional like Gauahar, who has consistently balanced her career and her roles as a wife and mother, the choice to continue working should ideally be her own and her husband's mutual decision.

In a modern, progressive society, the idea that an adult woman's career is conditional upon her husband's "right" to permit or restrict it is widely contested. While family values and expectations are undeniably a part of Indian culture, the overwhelming sentiment online suggests that an individual's professional autonomy, regardless of gender, should take precedence, especially when they have proven capable of managing both career and family life successfully. The Darbar controversy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing societal push-and-pull between deeply rooted traditional expectations and the growing reality of independent, career-oriented women.
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