Heeramandi actor Jason Shah recalls not being directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali much; ‘I had other directors with me’

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As a dedicated follower of Jason Shah’s work, I find myself deeply moved by his experiences while working on Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. With a career spanning various projects that require him to portray characters of British origin, it is evident that he brings a unique perspective and depth to these roles.

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of racism.

In May of this year, actor Jason Shah made an appearance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s TV show titled Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. His portrayal of the character Alasair Cartwright was appreciated by viewers. Yet, Jason expressed that his character seemed less complex as director Sanjay Leela Bhansali didn’t provide much direction for him in the series.

In a recent episode of the “Inside the Mind with Rushabh” podcast on YouTube, Jason Shah discussed his time collaborating with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on set. He opened up about disagreements he had regarding creative choices made during the production of the series.

Regarding Bhansali, the actor mentioned this was his inaugural endeavor directing a web series, which spanned multiple episodes over a three-year period. However, he admitted feeling unsatisfied with his portrayal in Heeramandi.

The actor from Heeramandi expressed that there were many subtle details he felt weren’t fully explored in the production. He had other directors working with him, but he believed we could have delved deeper and brought out more vibrancy. He suggested that it had the potential for much more depth.

Jason Shah elaborated on the process of empathizing with his character and frequently ponders over what emotions Cartwright might have experienced during specific scenes. Yet, he noted that ultimately, such decisions lie with the director.

In the past, when he’s portrayed a British officer in different productions, Jason mentioned that he’s worked on several sets where the actors engaged in conversations about historical facts with their colleagues.

Regarding his character from Heeramandi, Jason expressed that if he’d had the liberty, his character would have emerged even more prominently.

Jason mentioned that, similar to Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Gandhi, introducing complex racial undertones into a character like Cartwright could make the audience find him more intimidating or fear-inducing. In other words, he suggested that by delving deeper into the nuances of racism in Cartwright’s character, the audience might experience a stronger sense of fear or apprehension towards him.

When inquired about whether Jason attempted to propose his idea to Bhansali, the actor expressed that he might have caused trouble by saying anything beyond what they had previously talked about.

In “Heeramandi,” Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, and Taha Shah Badussha take center stage, each portraying their characters effectively. This captivating series premiered on May 1 and can now be enjoyed by viewers worldwide on Netflix.

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2024-08-03 21:38