New Delhi: 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,' a period drama by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has garnered mixed reviews from viewers. During its first week on Netflix, the series attracted a large audience and quickly rose to the number two spot among non-English language programmes. Meanwhile, amidst the acclaim, 'Heeramandi' actor Sharmin Segal is facing criticism for her character. The actress, who plays Alamzeb, is also Bhansali's niece.
Since ‘Heeramandi’ premiered on Netflix, Sharmin has been subjected to a lot of backlash. Sharmin reportedly disabled comments on her Instagram account since the criticism turned into online trolling.
Sharmin Segal Reacts To Backlash
In a candid conversation with BBC Asian Network podcast, Sharmin addressed the criticism and shared her experience. She highlighted the pressure she faces and the support system that sustains her.
She said, “If I start taking all that pressure on myself… I am a very strong advocate for mental health and living a happy life. So, I do want to do what I want to do and I would love for everyone to love Alamzeb. But, at the end of the day, there will be people who have to say what they have to say.”
She also shared, “In my personal life, I am secure enough today to come home to my husband and put everything that I have done at work aside. But I am not that person who’s gonna constantly put that much pressure on it. Yes, I do want to prove myself; but today I am also a realist in that way."
About Heeramandi
In ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali explores the life of tawaifs in Lahore's Heera Mandi during the Indian independence struggle. A star-studded cast of the show includes Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin. The series premiered on Netflix on May 1, 2024. Taha Shah Badussha, Farida Jalal, Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan, Shruti Sharma, and Adhyayan Suman also feature in the series.