17 minutes agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
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Sanjay Leela Bhansali is going to present the reality of courtesans and their guardians through the web series 'Hiramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' based on the turbulent backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s. Recently, Richa Chadda, Sharmin Sehgal and Sanjeeda Shaikh talked to Dainik Bhaskar regarding this series. Sharmin Sehgal is Bhansali's niece. He told that he had to audition 17 times for this character. Richa told that she has followed Meena Kumari and Nargis for the role of Lajjo.
Richa Chadda – Sanjay sir was sure that I could play the character of Lajjo.
Richa, you are playing the role of Lajjo in this series, this role is a tribute to true lovers. What was your reaction when you were told about this role?
When I went to Sanjay sir's office for the first time, I was called for some other character. At that time someone else was directing the series along with Sanjay sir. But then things did not work out. When I went to meet again, Sanjay sir told that this character has been written keeping you in mind. I was picturing whether you would be able to do this character or not. But I think you will do it. That's all we talked about, after that we chatted a bit, that's it. I really enjoyed working with Sanjay sir. I think his approach has been very successful.
Sharmin, your character of Alamzeb is very sweet and serious. When you get a chance to play such a character, how do you play it so that it stands out?
This character is very different. When you play such a character, you yourself stand out. The second thing is that there is no similarity between Alamzeb and Sharmin. Both are very different types of people. It took some effort for me to play a serious character. Did a little acting. What makes one stand out is that one has so much faith in the director that he will enhance every character. In this matter we all blindly trust Sanjay sir. As an actor, I am always hungry to play powerful roles. People talk that this is a female oriented subject, but women have many forms. Who is seen in the character of Alamzeb.
Sharmin Sehgal – I consider myself very privileged to have got the opportunity to play a noble character.
When did you meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the role of Alamzeb?
Even though I am his niece and that is why we keep meeting. But his entire personal life is a film. He has not been talked to once or twice about this character. He is always looking for roles. He wondered whether I could do this character. I also very much wanted to get a chance to play this character. I had to go through the audition process 17 times. I got both negative and positive feedback. I consider myself very privileged to have got the opportunity to play this character. Only 15-16 days were left for the shooting when I came to know that I am playing this character.
Sanjeeda Shaikh – Sanjay sir saw the ability in me that I would be able to play such a complex character.
Sanjeeda, your range in the character of Waheeda includes love, jealousy and sadness. You have put your heart and soul into this character?
It's great that you liked it. As actors, our job is to execute the director's vision. Let us give our 200 percent. This challenge was in front of us. The bigger challenge before me was that how did Sanjay Sir consider me for the role of Waheeda? I was at a stage where I couldn't get work without auditions. Because I come from a background where I had to go through such a process. Here I met the most respectable makers from the industry, who saw in me the ability to play such a complex character.
How is the atmosphere on the set, all three of you share your experiences?
Sanjay sir is going ahead with the legacy of 'K Asif' – Richa Chadda
I enjoy it a lot. I surrender myself to the director. As far as I think, Sanjay sir's statement about being a hard task master is correct. Nowadays actors have also become very lazy. They come to know how to act if they have 50 lenses on. But Sanjay sir's specialty is that no matter what the shot is, he wants the actor to act with full body and dedication. Especially when you are doing period films. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a maker who is taking the legacy of 'K Asif' forward. There is no one around him today.
Follows Sanjay sir's method – Sharmin Sehgal
Everyone on the set follows Sanjay Leela Bhansali's method. All our hard work and energy was going in the same direction. Our thinking was to make Sanjay Leela Bhansali proud and he should be happy with our performance. We used to get lost somewhere in trying to understand the culture of those times. Sanjay Sir becomes very happy in that environment.
For Sanjay sir, work is worship – Sanjeeda Shaikh
She used to enter the set thinking that she would learn something new today. Will listen to Sanjay Sir's words and experiences. Every actor dreams of working under the direction of Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir. The process of working with him is very good. Everyone calls him task master. But he is very honest towards his work. He loves his work. For them work is worship. When he comes to the set, it seems as if he is seeing the set for the first time. They want to better themselves.
This series has intensity, dance, heavy drama and Urdu language. There must have been very different preparations for all three of you, what was that preparation?
Sanjay sir gave me Meena Kumari's homework – Richa Chadda
Munira madam was on the set for Urdu diction. Sanjay sir had given homework to every other actor. Meena Kumari's homework was given to me. The way there was pain in his voice, I used to speak my dialogues keeping the same tone. Sanjay Sir is very strict for dance. There was a lot of emotion in my song. For that I studied Meena Kumari, Nargis ji. That's why the pain of that character came out. Even though she has played such a character on screen, she has been given pain by her husband. But my husband in real life is very good, gives me a lot of happiness.
Focused on my voice and eyes for the character – Sharmin Sehgal
I have learned Kathak for two years and Urdu for one year. Apart from this, what I have learned by working with Sanjay sir. He used to say that he should leave it at home and come back. I focused on my voice and eyes for my character. I tried to convey emotions through eyes and voice. That's why Alamzeb's character seems very serious.
Every day I used to discover something – Sanjeeda Shaikh
Whatever preparation I have done, I have done it on the set itself. She discovered something every day. Urdu has been our language. I felt good that I got a chance to do such a show where people talk in Urdu. Even if she could not speak Urdu, Sanjay sir would have changed it. He said that nothing should look artificial but natural. It has been a very beautiful journey.
Which is your favorite film of Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
Richa Chadda said – I was stunned when I saw the request. This is a very difficult film, because the handsome hero keeps taking all the time. Sanjeeda Sheikh said – I like black films very much. Sharmin Sehgal said – I like Devdas very much.
