Sanjay Leela Bhansali Speaks About Sharmin Segal’s Performance In Heeramandi: ‘She Kept Saying I’ll Underplay’

Mumbai: Acclaimed Indian director and writer Sanjay Leela Bhansali made his debut on OTT by making Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. This time he was not only involved in directing the film, Bhansali also let the music composition of the period drama with the inaugural of ‘Bhansali Music.’ However, after the release of Heeramandi, netizens appeared to have mixed reactions to Bhansali’s directorial. What caught the attention of the users was the ‘bizarre’ and ‘awkward’ character of Alamzeb played by Sharmin Segal. Scroll down to find more details.

Bhansali on Sharmin Segal’s Backlash On Social Media

During a conversation with The Hindustan Times, Bhansali was asked to give his opinion on the backlash of Alamzeb’s acting. For the unversed, Sharmin Segal is the niece of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In the period drama, Sharmin portrays Alamzeb the youngest daughter, Mallikajaan (portrayed by Manisha Koirala). Alamzeb dreams of becoming a poet and falls in love with Tajdar (played by Taha Shah). However, after facing multiple barriers in her love life.

However, her character holds a pivotal position in the period drama. But what misses out on her character is the lack of expression she portrays. Talking to HT, Bhansali revealed how he felt working with her niece Sharmin Segal. He said, “She kept saying, ‘Mama, I’ll underplay.’ I said, ‘Underplay? Are you thinking I’m going to ask you to overplay? (sic).”

Talking about working with her niece he added her “new energy” is fascinating. He continues to add, “I know that they (the new generation of actors) love me as much. I can see it in the way (they ask me), ‘Are you happy? Should we do one more take? Can we do it one more time? Are you okay? I can see that love in their eyes. Now that’s very rare (sic).”

SLB Praises Manisha Koirala

Bhansali however, dodges to address the fact of Sharmin’s backlash on social media. He continues to praise Manisha Koirala for being immaculate. Bhansali adds, “She sat on the set every time for 7 hours, putting mehendi and then giving two shots. She’d go home, put the mehendi for seven hours again the next day, give two shots again, and then go home. It’s unbearable (sic).” He further adds, And yet she gave me the best takes in those two shots. The scene in which she says, ‘Chaand baramde mein utarta nahi.’ I knew she got her sur there itself. She looked just splendid. So each one is giving me something to take home (sic).”