Anuj Sharma on Co-Stars Stealing the Spotlight in Heeramandi: ‘Respect Only Off-Set’ – Exclusive

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently relishing the success of his directorial OTT debut ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.’ Soon after the series was released on Netflix, it started trending and secured a spot in the Top 10 chart on the OTT giant across 43 countries. While the narrative primarily centres on the lives of courtesans, it also underscores another dimension—the struggle for freedom from British rule. That’s when we see Anuj Sharma as Hamid of Heeramandi. Anuj is one of the most intriguing characters in Bhansali’s show. He makes his appearance in the first episode, impressing the audience with his iconic line, “Aaj se hamara naara Karengae ya Marengae nahi, marengae ya marengae hai”  as Bibbo Jaan (played by Aditi Rao Hydari) hands him the pistol to maintain the security of people who will be protesting against the British.

In an exclusive interview with India.com, Anuj opened up about his experiences on the set of Heeramandi, discussing a range of topics including the dynamics with his co-stars. He highlighted that working alongside prominent actors such as Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditi Rao Hydari did not overshadow his role in the series.

Anuj Sharma on Whether Renowned Co-Stars Outshine His Role in Heeramandi

Anuj expressed that the shoot set is similar to a battlefield for him, where the popularity of his co-actors is irrelevant, and what matters most is the dedication and performance he brings to his role. Talking about the same, the actor said, “No, I don’t feel that way, neither when working with Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi nor with Shahid Kapoor in Padmaavat. I don’t think any actor can overshadow my role because I have been preparing for battle in my life for so many years, and I trust my weapons, and my weapons are my talent, my creativity.”

“I have so much faith in my talent that when I am in the field, I don’t think about how big or small an actor is. I just know that I am doing my job, and they are doing theirs. Yes, off-set, I have a lot of respect for all those actors, but only off-set,” the actor added. For the unversed, Anuj has worked thrice with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He featured in Alia’s Gangubai Kathiawadi and Shahid Kapoor’s Padmaavat.

Anuj Sharma Says He Never Struggled in Bollywood

When Anuj was asked about whether his more than 27 years in Bollywood and working with SLB thrice had changed his life and brought an end to his struggle, the actor responded by saying, “Frankly, I have never felt like I have struggled, nor do I see myself struggling in the future. I am extremely passionate about my profession, and I am enjoying my journey in Bollywood. If I had encountered real hardship, I doubt I would have chosen acting as my career path. Being an artist is something I love.”

He further added, “Yes, one thing which has changed for me is that now even I can keep my choices. Previously, I simply accepted or declined whatever work came my way. Now, having had the opportunity to be a part of projects like Heeramandi, I have gained the agency to select projects that resonate with me. Heeramandi has been a game-changer in many ways. It’s allowed audiences to truly see and understand my craft, thanks to the platform provided by Sanjay sir’s series.”

About Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s masterpiece features the life of the Tawaifs in Lahore’s Heeramandi. The series consists of a star-studded cast including Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Sharmin Segal. The Netflix series is set against the backdrop of the Indian independence revolution, depicting the clash between the courtesans of Lahore’s Heeramandi red-light district and British Raj officials.