Heeramandi: Farida Jalal says ‘main thandi padh gayi’ when Sanjay Leela Bhansali asked her to hold wine glass for first shot; here’s what he did next

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Veteran actress Farida Jalal, beloved for her memorable performances, excited many with her comeback in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, where she played Qudsia Begum. During filming, she confessed to feeling tense when Bhansali initially asked her to handle a wine glass during a scene, admitting “I felt cold.” After he explained his vision for her first scene, she grew apprehensive and politely declined. Amazingly, Bhansali took out the scene without a word.

During an interview with Galatta India, Farida Jalal shared a memory about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s description of her debut scene in Heeramandi. According to him, my character was imagined as partying with a circle of noblewomen, sipping wine in one hand and puffing on a cigarette with the other, rejoicing over her son’s homecoming from overseas.

In a surprising turn, the actress from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai openly confessed that the scene’s description left her startled, causing an immediate sense of discomfort. Upon reflection, she recognized instantly that enacting the scene would make her feel uneasy due to its content.

Additionally, Farida Jalal disclosed that she voiced her unease to Bhansali, stating that she hadn’t played such roles prior and had usually declined similar opportunities. She articulated that grasping a cigarette would feel awkward for her and that she wouldn’t be capable of delivering the scene effectively.

To her astonishment, Bhansali remained silent without commenting and subsequently avoided discussing the issue further. The actress from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge appreciated his professionalism and sensitivity, as he swiftly eliminated the scene, understanding her unease.

I took great pride in seeing my on-screen portrayal, as it accurately reflected my character. I felt that if my character had been depicted indulging in habits like drinking and smoking, I might have become indistinguishable from the other characters in Heeramandi, forfeiting the essence that made me unique.

1. Farida confirmed that she approved of the end result and believed Bhansali shared the same sentiment. Moreover, she disclosed her unease about depicting behaviors similar to those she doesn’t practice herself as it would make her feel awkward.

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2. Farida expressed satisfaction with the final product and thought Bhansali agreed. She also shared that enacting habits like those she avoids personally would have made her uneasy.

Heeramandi boasted a star-studded cast including Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, Taha Shah, and Fardeen Khan, as well as several other notable actors.

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2025-03-19 15:52