Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest Netflix release, Heeramandi, has made headlines for a variety of reasons since it dropped on May 1. Among the buzz, a disturbing controversy has erupted involving Bhansali’s niece, Sharmin Segal. She has been facing heavy criticism for her conduct during a promotional interview for the show. A video from the promotional interview, now viral, shows Segal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Richa Chadha fielding questions about the show. While this should have been a routine promotional activity, it has instead thrown Segal into the eye of a social media storm.
The viral clip showcases an exchange where Sanjeeda Shaikh reverently calls Sanjay Leela Bhansali ‘a perfectionist’, praising his meticulous attention to detail and unyielding pursuit of excellence. “He is just a perfectionist. He wants everything to look not mediocre because whatever he does is nothing less than excellence. He is respected all around the world for his brilliant creative mind and incisive honesty towards his craft. He will expect his artist to give that honesty on screen. So I enjoyed all sorts of roops of Mr. Bhansali,” Shaikh stated.
However, it was Sharmin Segal’s interruption that raised eyebrows. Disagreeing with Shaikh’s assessment, Segal retorted, “I think ‘perfectionist’ is a very basic word to describe Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It’s the kind of a word that an outsider who has never worked with him, been on his set, and seen the kind of director that he is will use. He is much more than that. He adapts to change very well. He keeps challenging through different things. It is not about being perfect. He looks for rawness, magic, spontaneity.
. If he was only a perfectionist, he would not treat spontaneity the way he does.”
This interjection has ignited a backlash, with social media users calling out Segal for what they perceive as disrespect towards her senior co-star, Sanjeeda Shaikh. As this portion of the video continues to make rounds online, netizens have not held back in their critique. One user commented, “She is so insecure and jealous kinda personality”, while another noted, “Only nepotism babies will have the guts to be so rude to a co-star after delivering the worst performance in the entire series.” Another commented, “Sharmin Segal delivered a terrible performance and she’s being too arrogant defending her overrated filmmaker uncle. Most of his films wouldn’t have looked so fabricated and flashy had he looked for rawness and spontaneity. She’s right about him not being a perfectionist.”
Suffice it to say, Sharmin Segal’s attempt to defend her uncle’s directorial style did not go as planned. Instead of fostering a conversation about Bhansali’s creative approach, it has pulled attention towards her tone and attitude. Critics argue her comments underlined a sense of entitlement and a lack of respect for her more experienced colleague.
In addition to the personal critique, many have expressed displeasure with her performance in the series itself. “Sharmin Segal delivered a terrible performance,” claimed another social media user, casting a shadow over her credentials as an actor. This critique isn’t isolated; comments about her performance and attitude are flooding social media platforms, painting a challenging picture for the young actress.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar also features Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Richa Chadha in prominent roles. With an ensemble cast boasting a wealth of experience and talent, Segal’s discordant interaction has sparked debates about professionalism and film industry dynamics.
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While Sanjay Leela Bhansali is renowned for his artistic brilliance and storytelling prowess, his niece’s recent misstep has brought into focus another layer of the challenges within Bollywood – the often-contentious nepotism debate. Critics argue that individuals linked to influential industry figures often exhibit an unwarranted sense of superiority, which may diminish collaborative spirit.
The controversy continues to build as fans and critics alike wait to see how this affects the dynamics within the Heeramandi team and the careers involved. With Sharmin Segal under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, the fallout from her comments might extend well beyond the promotion of the current series. As the issue unravels, it could serve as yet another reminder of the sensitive balance actors must maintain in the public eye, especially in an industry as scrutinized as Bollywood.
