New Delhi: The role of actor Sharmin Segal, niece of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, as Alamzeb in the web series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ has been the target of online trolling. Aditi Rao Hydari, who portrayed Bibbojaan in the period drama, has recently supported her co-star. Aditi criticised trolls, describing them as "mean."
During an interview with journalist Puja Talwar, Aditi voiced her opinion on the ongoing backlash of Sharmin Segal. She said, “100%. It's horrible to pick on anybody. I know some people like something and some people don't. There is a way to say it. It can get very mean. It has gotten very mean and I think it's not fair and it shouldn't happen like that. I don't know what else to say but I do feel bad. I think we should all understand it and be there for each other.”
The actress added, “I also feel people do what they think is important to them. If some people want to be mean, that is their prerogative. We have to find a way around it otherwise it will be really difficult. Whoever is facing it, I would just say, 'look at the positive.'”
For those who are unaware, Sharmin has been the target of internet abuse as people think she underplayed the character of Alamzeb. Internet users were also divided on the topic of nepotism after her 'bad' performance.
About Heeramandi
The series displays the lives of courtesans in pre-partition India's Heera Mandi red-light district, set in the 1920s and 1940s in Lahore (now Pakistan). Courtesans, Nawabs, and British officers all find themselves at odds with one another in an epic-drama set against the backdrop of colonial administration. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ‘Heeramandi’ is now available on Netflix. The series features Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman, and Shekhar Suman.