Mumbai3 hours agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
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Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series Heeramandi has been released on Netflix. Fardeen Khan has made a comeback after a long time through this series. In an interview given to Dainik Bhaskar, he shared the experience of getting the role in Hiramandi and working with Bhansali.
He also shared an interesting incident with Bhansali. Fardeen said that Bhansali once told him that he would never work with him. Bhansali told Fardeen that there is no fire in your eyes.
However, what happened after so many years was that Fardeen got an offer from Bhansali himself. Heeramandi's starcast Fardeen Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Taha Shah Badusha have given an interview to Dainik Bhaskar.
Read the main excerpts from the conversation..
Question- Aditi, first of all, tell me, how did you get selected for Hiramandi.
answer- Sanjay sir (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) chose me for this and I am very thankful for it. The way Sanjay Sir enhances the characters in his films is a different thing. Working with him is a great experience. How well he has written my character Bibbo Jaan.
Question- Fardeen, it is great to see you after a long time, what was your first reaction when you got the role in Hiramandi?
answer- I was missing from the industry for 12 years. When I was offered the role for Hiramandi, I couldn't believe it. I got a call for look test. When I got selected in it, I got a call from Sanjay Sir. He told me that you have been selected for the role of Wali Mohammed in Hiramandi.
Sanjay sir had given a very good brief for the character of Wali Mohammed. He told me that Wali Mohammad is a noble person, he respects women a lot. Hearing this, I became more impressed with this character.
Question- Taha, what would you say about your role?
answer- First of all I would like to thank Sanjay sir. Sanjay sir does not look at what background the actor comes from or what his previous work has been. He had earlier offered me another role. Later, after watching the work for a month, he gave me the big and impressive role of Tajdar. I think Tajdar is the best role of my career. I can't thank Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Netflix enough for this.
Question- Fardeen, what will you say about getting the role in Hiramandi and the meeting with Bhansali?
answer- It was during the time of my second film Jungle (2000). I went to meet Sanjay sir at his house. We talked for about 10-15 minutes. Sanjay Sir told me at that time that Fardeen, I do not see that fire in your eyes. I don't think we will ever be able to work together. He said this very normally. I didn't feel bad either. However, when I was called for Hiramandi, I reminded him of his words.
Question- What happened in these 12 years that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's thinking changed about you?
answer- Sanjay sir said that there is a lot of difference between the Fardeen of that time and the Fardeen of today. Now your eyes are telling that you have been through a lot in life. There has been a lot of change in you compared to before.
I learned a lot in these 12 years. Now I am back as a newcomer. I have forgotten all the things that have worked before. I am just happy that people still appreciate my work, they remember me well.
Question- Aditi, tell us your story, how did Sanjay Leela Bhansali approach you?
answer- I came to Mumbai during the lockdown. At that time I met Sanjay sir. He told me that I have become so thin, eat and drink something. After this I went to South. One of my films was shown there. One day I got a call from Bhansali Productions and they called me to Mumbai. I felt that something good was going to happen.
I reached Sanjay sir's office. The entire set was installed there. Everything including costumes was kept. There was a very good atmosphere. Sanjay sir took my look test there and selected me for the role. Of all the people I know in the industry, I find Sanjay Leela Bhansali to be the most kind-hearted.
Question- It is said about Sanjay Leela Bhansali that he makes his actors work very hard and also organizes workshops etc.? Aditi, what will you say on this?
answer– You see the grandeur of Sanjay Sir's films. This is so easily possible. Sanjay sir works hard for this. He knows how to get the best out of actors. He wants his films to be made in the best way. He believes in perfection. For this reason they do not take their work lightly.
Question- Fardeen, how do you see Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film making?
answer- For Sanjay Leela Bhansali, making films is not work but life. There are only a few people in the industry who achieve mastery in their work, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of them. He demands the best from his actors. They know you better than you know yourself. He also takes great care of his actors. Actors just have to understand their process.
Question- Fardeen, would you like to tell something interesting about Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
answer- He (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) loves animals very much. He had 20 dogs on the sets of Heeramandi. He also took care of their food and drink. Whenever he was in a bad mood, he spent time with dogs.
Question- Aditi, what would you say about Sanjay Leela Bhansali's love for animals?
answer- Whenever Sanjay Sir was in a bad mood or a little irritable, we all used to bring his pet dogs on the set. His anger calmed down after seeing the pet dogs.
