Jason Shah on Sharmin Segal’s Heeramandi performance: “Sanjay Leela Bhansali kept telling her to….” : Bollywood News

Jason Shah, who plays the villainous Cartwright in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series Heeramandi, recently shared his perspective on Sharmin Segal's performance. Sharmin, Bhansali's niece, has faced criticism for her portrayal of Alamzeb, with many finding her acting one-dimensional. Shah agreed with this sentiment, stating that while her character had potential, the performance remained consistent in its tone. "I thought, personally, there should have been a higher escalation of emotion in different places," he remarked in an interview with Entertainment LIVE.

Jason Shah on Sharmin Segal’s Heeramandi performance: “Sanjay Leela Bhansali kept telling her to….”

Shah shed light on Bhansali's attempts to help Sharmin deliver a more heartfelt performance. "I remember Sanjay also saying, ‘Stop acting from your head, act from your heart’," Shah recalled. Despite this guidance, Shah suggested that the director might have intentionally sought a muted performance from Sharmin. "Maybe that was the one tone that they were looking for from this character. But that’s the director’s call," he added.

Critics on social media have harshly judged her acting skills, questioning if her familial connection to Bhansali influenced her casting. Despite the backlash, casting director Shruti Mahajan defended Sharmin, stating that her fresh and unique presence was a deliberate choice to make her character stand out.

The Netflix series, set against the backdrop of the Indian independence revolution, highlights the struggles of courtesans in Lahore's Heeramandi district during the British Raj. The ensemble cast includes notable names such as Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Manisha Koirala. As the show garners mixed reviews, Shah's insights provide a nuanced view of the efforts and decisions behind Sharmin's performance.

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