Ismail Darbar connection- Poonam's suicide attempt

Ismail Darbar

News about Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 contestant Poonam Yadav's attempt to commit suicide on Saturday afternoon has left many shocked. Several rumours have been doing rounds since the unfortunate incident.

Poonam's mother immediately rushed her to a Government hospital in Lucknow and by Saturday evening she was shifted to another hospital with better facilities as her condition was critical and she hadn't regained consciousness. At the time of going to press, Poonam was out of danger but she still hasn't given her statement to the police.

A close friend of Poonam from Lucknow said, "Poonam's mother said that she complained of a headache after which she consumed her mother's blood pressure and asthma medicines by mistake. But the doctors said that Poonam consumed a large dose of sleeping pills, which was enough to put her life in danger. It's not like she consumed one or two sleeping pills. It is a clear case of a suicide attempt."

Although Poonam doesn't come from a well-to-do family, financial crisis being the reason why she attempted suicide is completely out of question as she recently got a Government job. "On March 17, Poonam joined the Central Railways Office in Lucknow, after Minister of Railways, Lalu Prasad Yadav got her the job," said the friend.

The tragic incident has set tongues wagging with many blaming music director Ismail Darbar. He was her mentor on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and the two were rumoured to have shared a close relationship.

The friend added, "Apparently, the reason behind Poonam's suicide attempt is an abortion she had six months ago. We also heard that a few weeks ago, Poonam and Ismail were spotted together at some festival at Varanasi."

Apparently, the Poonam-Ismail relationship is much more than that of a mentor and student. "Last year, Poonam had told me that Ismail Darbar had got her a flat in Mumbai and that she is going to shift to Mumbai. She was quite optimistic as she thought she would make it big as a playback singer. She must have eventually realised that she was only being used," said the friend.

We contacted Ismail Darbar who initially pretended he had no idea about Poonam's suicide attempt. However, he eventually said, "I got a call from someone in Lucknow informing me about this an hour ago. I am not in touch with her since Diwali."

When asked about why he wasn't in touch with Poonam, he said, "Woh bechari ne socha hoga kahan main sir ko baar baar pareshaan kyon karu. I even asked my wife about Poonam as she hadn't called since a long time."

It is learnt from reliable sources that Poonam was terribly depressed since the last six months after she had lost contact with Ismail.

When asked if they were in touch after the show ended, Ismail said, "Yes. In fact she visited my home several times. But after Diwali, I got busy with some problems in my life and we lost touch. "

Commenting on the rapport between the two, Ismail said, "Yes, we shared a great rapport and that's why I was wondering where she had disappeared."

Poonam Yadav

When asked if he had heard rumours about her abortion and if they were in a relationship, he said, "Ya Allah! No, I had no idea about any such thing. Aisa kuchh nahin tha. I have always guided her like a daughter."

Ismail said that he hadn't tried calling Poonam after hearing about her suicide attempt. "I have her number but I haven't got in touch with her. I am busy with my mother's last rites in Surat."

Commenting on if he plans to go to Lucknow to meet Poonam, Ismail added, "No, I am busy here in Surat. At the most I will call her up and ask her why she did this. I can't ask her anything beyond this. And if anyone is trying to malign my name, I will not take it lying down."

"I pray that her life is saved. Even we have problems but we don't try to commit suicide. I was surprised to hear that a girl like her had resorted to such a drastic step," said Ismail.

I hope and pray it's just rumors.