Sharmin Segal speaks up about being trolled for Alamzeb's role in 'Heeramandi'; onscreen lover Taha Shah comes out in her support

Sharmin Segal and Taha Shah in a still from Heeramandi

Actress Sharmin Segal, who played the role of Alamzeb in 'Heeramandi', was heavily trolled for her performance in the show directed by her uncle and ace director Sanay Leela Bhansali. But in an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol.com, her onscreen lover, Nawab Tajdar Baloch, played by the lovely Taha Shah, came out in her defense. He said Sharmin had also given many auditions, and only then was she selected for the role.

In an interview with News 18, Sharmin said, "The audience is the king at the end of the day. And as a creative person, it’s very important to acknowledge that. They have a right to their opinion, positive or negative. That’s one thing that gives me perspective and allows me to be okay.”

Sharmin said there were positive comments appreciating her performance in the series, but only negative ones were brought out. “I had given my all to Alamzeb’s character. We tend to fixate on the negatives, but there are so many positives that have also come along, which we don’t talk about. It’s perhaps not interesting enough to talk about positives, and we tend to look over them to some degree," she said.

"There was a point when I was not looking at many things [reviews], but then slowly, I realized that I was also missing out on a lot of love that I was getting. I’ve now started paying attention to that. Over the last few days, I decided to look through it all. The audience’s opinion is what will probably help you be the best version of yourself," she added.

Meanwhile, Taha, in an exclusive conversation with MoneyControl.com, said a person of Mr. Bhansali's caliber can never go wrong with casting someone he doesn't believe in. And he further said that Sharmin also had to give 14–15 auditions before bagging the lead role.

"I think that person with such big caliber will cast someone whom he doesn't believe in. They have auditioned her (Sharmin Segal) for the role and went through 14–15 auditions. She has done leg work for that. As far as trolling is concerned, aap apna best camera ke saamne dijiye. Abhi log aapko pasand karte hain nahi karte, that is their choice," he said.

Taha said his parents loved Sharmin as Alamzeb in the series.

"Main ye hi example deta hhoon ki mere Abbu and ammi ko Sharmin bahut pasand ayi, and they had their own understanding that she is playing a person who has always been protected and locked—her mom and those women. So when she gets out, she might know how to react. So whenever I was on the set, I always heard Mr. Bhansali say, Make it less, make it less. So I believe he has directed her the best, and she has given her best foot forward. Trolling anyone is wrong. You should understand the 360-degree perspective of what the person is going through before drawing conclusions. People's reaction is not in your hands, but giving your best is in your hands," Taha told us in the exclusive conversation," he added.

On being asked if he is also trolled online, and how does he deal with it?

Taha said he sacrificed his parties and meetings with friends for his work, and if he has done that, then trolling doesn't affect him as he gave his 100 percent.

"I always believe that I have given my 100 percent, and nobody can judge that except you. Kya apne parties sacrifice ki hai; going out with friends and girlfriends sacrifice ki hai. If you have made those sacrifices, then have you attended all the classes, given your 100 percent, or not? Kyunki aapke paas bhi 24 ghante hai mere paas bhi 224 ghante hain. How we invest that time is up to us. I am not saying that I have not slipped or that I am not perfect. I have realized that, out of at least 90 percent of my time, I know I have invested in what is right. And when I look back in time, I will always say that I have turned over every rock. I have given it my best, and I have gone to all my classes and not given up. Aisa nahi hai ki mujhe koi rejections aa jate hai toh main ghar par baith jata hoon. Aisa nahi hai ki koi mere ghar par ayega aur mujhe role offer karega. Did I do the leg work? Did I do the hustle? Am I putting my 100 percent. out there, every day, and then finally, jab ye trolling hoti hai, then I know that bhai maine toh apna 100 percent diya in all directions, and baaki sab khuda ke haath mein hai?" he added.

'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' premiered on Netflix on May 1, 2024. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has announced the second season of the show as well.