In a candid revelation during FICCI Frames 2024, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha disclosed a delightful anecdote surrounding her casting in the much-anticipated OTT series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, helmed by renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Portraying the character of Fareedan in the drama set against the backdrop of Lahore’s Red Light District, Sinha expressed her admiration for Bhansali’s portrayal of women on screen, hailing it as unmatched. She said,
Sanjay sir and I have been trying to collaborate for many years, and I’m glad it happened with Heeramandi. The way he portrays his women on screen, nobody is able to do that.
Speaking on Bhansali’s unique vision and meticulous attention to female characters, Sinha added, “He has got a very different vision for it in spite of it being all magnum opus. He takes good care of how his female characters are portrayed on screen, and that’s something I appreciate about him.”
Heeramandi promises a diverse array of female characters, and Sinha praised Bhansali for providing each character with equal importance. “In Heeramandi, we have six different women with six different stories to tell, and each one has importance. So, to be part of something like this is tremendous,” she expressed, highlighting the significance of the project’s global reach through Netflix.
Reflecting on her experience working with Bhansali, Sinha acknowledged personal growth as an actor. “I walked away as a more patient and resilient actor. That’s a good thing, and good things take time and greater things take more time. To be a part of something like this does require a lot of patience. I think I walked away as a much stronger actor after Heeramandi.”
Expressing her eagerness to embrace challenging roles, Sinha thanked Bhansali for entrusting her with the complex character of Fareedan. “Every actor craves to be challenged. I’ve grown and learnt through experiences. I’ve started from scratch.
Every experience for me was something that I cherish because I learnt a lot from every person I worked with. It has got me to the point where Sanjay Leela Bhansali has confidence in me to offer me a role like Fareedan, who is very complex.”
Sinha’s anecdote sheds light on the intricate process behind casting decisions and underscores the depth of collaboration between actors and directors in bringing multifaceted characters to life on screen. As anticipation mounts for Heeramandi, Sinha’s revelations offer a glimpse into the artistic journey awaiting viewers upon the show’s release.
