Sharmin Segal, the newcomer in Bollywood is also the niece of renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The actress has opened up about her experience working on the set of Heeramandi, Bhansali's debut web series. In an exclusive interview with an online daily, the actress shared her sentiments about the show and also discussed whether she was given a 'special' treatment on the set.
Sharmin Segal Says Sanjay Leela Bhansali Had No Reason to Turn Softer Towards Her
Sharmin had previously debuted in Bhansali's 2019 production Malaal. She played 'Alamzeb' in Bhansali's debut web series, Heeramandi. Given their family bond, the audience was quick to judge her performance and also for receiving special treatment on the set. Sharmin however, cleared the air once and for all.
"I don't think he had any reason to turn softer towards me because, at the end of the day, he loves his work and I love my work also so I wouldn't want him to be and he wasn't going to be," Sharmin asserted. She insisted that as an actor and director on sets, it was important to maintain a sense of responsibility in a professional environment, particularly when working with someone of Bhansali's stature.
"We are in a professional environment at the end of the day so work is work. It's a very big responsibility; he is Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I want to do my best and to make him proud and that would require him to not be nicer to me than he is to everyone else. Because it'll affect how he views me and my character also, and he's very professional; he knows how to draw the boundaries," Sharmin elaborated.
More on Heeramandi & Season 2 Announcement
Heeramandi, an ambitious project by Bhansali, was released on Netflix on May 1, 2024. The series stars an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, Taha Shah, and Fardeen Khan. Set in the pre-Independence era the show explores the lives of courtesans in the red-light district known as Heeramandi. Sharmin's portrayal of Alamzeb has received criticism from the audience, but the show's success has enhanced the contribution of her performance. Her experience on the set of Heeramandi goes on to show the thorough professionalism of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. With the announcement of Season 2, we can't wait to see the duo unite once again!
