Farida Jalal Opens Up About Refusing to Smoke Onscreen in Heeramandi

Veteran actress Farida Jalal, who has been a part of the Indian film industry since the 1960s, recently made a powerful comeback in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series 'Heeramandi'.

Veteran actress Farida Jalal, who has been a part of the Indian film industry since the 1960s, recently made a powerful comeback in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series 'Heeramandi'.

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Veteran actress Farida Jalal, who has been a part of the Indian film industry since the 1960s, recently made a powerful comeback in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series 'Heeramandi'. Fans were thrilled to see Jalal in a unique role as Qudsia Begum, and in a recent interaction, she shared her experience of working with the acclaimed filmmaker.

Farida Jalal Turned Down a Scene Involving Smoking & Drinking

In an interview with Galatta India, Farida Jalal revealed that she had to refuse a scene that required her to smoke and drink, as she felt uncomfortable doing so.

Recalling the conversation with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Jalal said, “He said the first shot is you are sitting with a group of nawaabzaadis, having a nice party. Your son has just come back from abroad, and you have a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. I froze. Main thandi pad gayi.”

She added, “I told him, ‘Sir, I have never done this.’ There have been instances in my life when such roles came my way, and I always said no. I was not comfortable, so I said, ‘Sir, I will not hold a cigarette. I will look false.’”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Respected Her Decision

Despite her refusal, Bhansali did not pressure her to go ahead with the scene. “He didn’t say a word to me. What a great man! He didn’t even speak about it after that meeting. He just did away with it. I was very tense, but he understood that I was not comfortable,” she shared.

Farida Jalal Was Happy With the Final Outcome

After watching Heeramandi, Jalal felt that avoiding the smoking and drinking scene actually made her character stand out more. “I really liked what I saw. If my character was drinking and smoking like the others, there wouldn’t have been much difference. I am sure Bhansali also felt the same. I would have been very uncomfortable because I don’t do those things.”

Praising Bhansali’s Vision

Farida Jalal also lauded Bhansali’s filmmaking style and his ability to transport actors and audiences into a different era. “He creates that world. We all begin to believe in it. He took us into that era. We don’t know if it was real or fictional, but I believed everything I saw. I loved it. I went with the flow.”

Farida Jalal in Heeramandi

Jalal’s performance in Heeramandi has received widespread appreciation, with many praising her powerful screen presence in Bhansali’s lavish period drama.