Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut series Heeramandi has once again sparked a debate about nepotism, courtesy of his niece Sharmin Segal’s casting in the newly released Netflix series. Sharmin, the daughter of Bella Bhansali Segal and Deepak Segal, plays the role of Alamzeb in the show, which boasts an ensemble cast of acclaimed actors like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Shekhar Suman, and Aditi Rao Hydari.
While Manisha, Sonakshi and Aditi have been getting much love and appreciation for their solid performances, Sharmin has been receiving a volley of criticism for “holding the same expression” throughout the show. A section of the internet claims that “nepotism got her this role”. Following the constant negativity that she’s been getting on social media, Sharmin has turned off comments on her latest post featuring a photo of her posing with Sanjay Leela Bhansali at the Los Angeles premiere of Heeramandi.
Sharmin made her acting debut with Bhansali’s production ‘Malaal’ in 2019. The film co-starred Meezan Jafri. Having closely worked with Bhansali as an assistant director on projects like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Sharmin went on to star in the horror comedy ‘Atithi Bhooto Bhava’.
In a recent interview with News18 Showsha, Sharmin addressed the claims about her uncle, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, being “short-tempered”. She appeared to hit back at Heeramandi co-star Shekhar Suman who called Bhansali “perfectionists who are always short-tempered.”
“It’s the kind of a word that an outsider who has never worked with him, been on his set and seen the kind of director that he is will use. He adapts to change very well. He likes challenging himself with different things. For him it’s not about being perfect,” she told us.
Talking about how Bhansali’s crew chose to extend their working hours on the sets of Heeramandi, she shared, “That goes unnoticed on most sets. But on Sanjay sir’s set, people are willing to extend their shifts beyond twelve hours by two-three more hours. They do it out of respect for him and for what he’s creating. I don’t see this happening anywhere else. That’s why, I think boiling him down to a ‘temperamental perfectionist’ is a bit basic.”
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