Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s (SLB) first Netflix series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, will be released on the streaming platform on May 1, 2024. The series would explore the lives of courtesans in pre-independent India in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore. Apart from the larger-than-life set and opulent outfits of the characters, Heeramandi also has a stellar cast featuring popular Bollywood stars like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal, Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.
Recently, a part of Heeramandi’s cast, including Sonakshi, Taha, Aditi and Fardeen, sat for an interview with Pinkvilla. During the conversation, Fardeen, who is making a comeback on the celluloid after 14 years, opened up about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The actor revealed that he had approached the filmmaker during the 2000s, but SLB had turned him down saying that he did not have the fire in him. Talking more about the incident, Fardeen said:
“I went to his office in the early 2000s to seek work. Obviously, to get the opportunity to work with him. He met with me, we sat, we spoke for about 10–15 minutes. He said, 'You know, Fardeen, I don't think we can work because I don't see that fire in your eyes.'”
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Fardeen continued his chain of thoughts and said that earlier, those words felt very brutal. However, he has now realised that it was exactly what he needed to hear back then. The actor further mentioned that he even thanked SLB this time for the same and added that he was grateful to have gotten the opportunity to work with someone like SLB. In his words:
“At that time, of course, it felt brutal, and I told him this time that even if that sounded brutal at the time, that's exactly what I wanted to hear, I needed to hear rather. I thanked him for it. But, just to have this chance to be able to work with a master craftsman like him, I am extremely grateful for it. It's been a wonderful learning experience. It has enriched me on many levels.”
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During the same interview, the host informed Fardeen that SLB once wanted to feature him in his 2005 masterpiece, Black. However, the actor had no clue about it and was pleasantly surprised to learn about it. Continuing the conversation, Fardeen said that this was news to him and that he had heard about it for the first time.
In an interview with ANI, Fardeen previously revealed that he felt like a newcomer as he is all set to make a comeback after 14 years with Heeramandi. Talking about how there has been a generational shift in the audience, the actor shared that he has two more projects releasing this year. In his words:
“Today, there's completely a new generation, so I feel like a newcomer. I feel fortunate that I got a chance to work with good people with this Heeramandi show. I have two more projects that will be released this year. I am really thankful to the audience have trusted me.”
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What are your thoughts on Fardeen Khan’s revelations?
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