Supportive Co-Stars Stand by Sharmin Segal Amidst Performance Criticism
Following the premiere of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, actress Sharmin Segal has faced criticism from some cinephiles regarding her portrayal of Alamzeb. However, her co-stars, including Fardeen Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Taha Shah Badussha, have rallied around her, expressing their support amidst the online trolling.
Taha Shah, who shares a romantic arc with Segal in the series, recently defended his co-star once again in an interview with YouTuber Puja Talwar. When asked about Segal's portrayal being met with disapproval, Shah remarked that his parents had provided him with a thoughtful explanation for her performance, which made perfect sense to them.
They (the audience) have singled her out, and to everyone I've spoken to, I've made sure to say that... While we have no right to comment on the audience, I can speak about those close to me, like my mom and dad. They've approached me with logical explanations about her performance, and it made complete sense, Shah explained.
Shah then highlighted Segal's dedication during the production, emphasizing that he witnessed her put forth her utmost effort.
I've been by her side for over 100 days on set and have seen her give it her all, Shah said.
Shah further commended Segal's thorough approach, noting that she had meticulously examined the entire script, identifying inconsistencies with sound justifications and proposing constructive ideas.
She assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali as an assistant director on his films before making her debut in 'Malaal.' She is well-versed in his (Bhansali's) filmmaking process, Shah added.
Shah then appealed to the audience to show leniency towards Segal, acknowledging her relative youth in the industry. He expressed hope that the audience would go easy on her and give her a chance to grow.
In an earlier interview with Pinkvilla, Segal addressed the criticism, stating that her character had been presented as depicted on screen. She acknowledged the audience's entitlement to express their opinions while emphasizing the effort she had invested in her performance.
Heeramandi, which also features an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh, is currently streaming on Netflix.
