Sharmin Segal, who plays the character of Alamzeb in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi, has been under the spotlight since the series premiered on Netflix. Despite the show’s immense popularity and praise for its ensemble cast, Sharmin has faced criticism for her acting skills on social media. In an earlier interview, she mentioned taking inspiration from Meena Kumari’s “nothingness” in Pakeezah for her portrayal in Heeramandi.
Tajdar Amrohi’s Strong Reaction to Sharmin’s Statement
The late Meena Kumari’s stepson, Tajdar Amrohi, has responded strongly to Sharmin’s comparison between Heeramandi and Pakeezah. In an interview, Tajdar emphasized the vast difference between the two productions. He stated, “Zameen aasman ka fark hai between ‘Heeramandi’ and ‘Pakeezah’ (There is a difference of earth and sky between them). Don’t compare the two.” He further added that neither Meena Kumari nor Kamal Amrohi could ever be replaced or replicated.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Admiration for Kamal Amrohi
Tajdar Amrohi acknowledged Bhansali’s admiration for his father, Kamal Amrohi. He recalled an incident 15 years ago when Bhansali visited Kamalistan Studio and paid respects to Kamal Amrohi by touching the ground where he once sat. Despite his respect for Bhansali, Tajdar maintained his stance on the incomparable nature of Pakeezah.
Richa Chadha’s Tribute to Meena Kumari in Heeramandi
Richa Chadha, another star of Heeramandi, also paid tribute to Meena Kumari through her dance performance in the series. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Richa explained how she meticulously studied Meena Kumari’s character in Pakeezah to enrich her portrayal of Lajjo in Heeramandi. She worked on her voice and diction to embody the tragic depth and complexity of Meena Kumari’s character.
Heeramandi is set in the pre-partition era in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore, present-day Pakistan. The series explores the power struggle between the courtesans of Heera Mandi, the Nawabs, and British officers amidst the Indian independence revolution. The show features a star-studded cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, and Fardeen Khan.