Mumbai, May 5
'Padmaavat' fame Anuj Sharma, who is playing an antagonist in 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', talked about getting an opportunity to be part of the series and shared his working experience with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
In an exclusive conversation with ANI, he shared how he was approached by Bhansali for the role, "I had worked with him in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' and 'Padmaavat'. I still remember, I was at home. I got a call at night that if you are free tomorrow, we will start the shooting. So I said, yes, I am free. After that, the casting director called me to send the audition. The audition was sent. After a while, the report came that the audition was rejected and I was not playing this role. The sad thing was that my audition went to Sir and it got rejected."
He continued, "I was very depressed. So, in the morning, I was sitting in the temple of my house. I was praying to Lord Krishna that 'so many miracles have happened in the world, why isn't there any miracle happening in my life?'. At the same time, I got a call and was told that Sanjay Sir wants to meet me. You can come to Film City. So, I went to Film City. I met with Sir and he said in front of the whole unit that 'he is my lucky charm'. This was a very big compliment for me."
Through the stories of courtesans and their patrons, the series delves deep into the cultural reality of Heeramandi.
It features Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.
On sharing his working experience with co-stars, he said, "I enjoyed working with everyone. Most of the scenes are with Aditi and Taha. Taha is a very hardworking actor. He gives his hundred per cent from his side. And Aditi is already a big star, she does such a good job. So, I felt good with everyone."
Set against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s, the project promises to be an epic saga of love, power, revenge, and freedom.
'Heeramandi' is streaming on Netflix.