Jason Shah, known for his role as the villainous British officer Alastair Cartwright in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, recently shared his experience of working on the show in an interview with NDTV. He revealed that the atmosphere on set was tense and lacking in simple niceties, making him feel somewhat out of place.
During the filming, Jason noted a lack of basic introductions and interactions with fellow cast and crew members, which he found odd and confusing. As the villain of the series, he speculated that perhaps his character’s disconnect was intentional, but he emphasized that personal connections off-screen do not necessarily translate to on-screen characterizations.
Jason also shared an interesting anecdote about his first encounter with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, describing a brief and somewhat awkward interaction where Bhansali silently greeted him before assessing his potential to play the role.
Heeramandi, set in pre-partition India, explores the lives of courtesans who held significant power and influence during the freedom struggle. The series boasts a stellar cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and many more. Following its premiere on Netflix, the show garnered attention for its historical backdrop and compelling storytelling, prompting the streaming platform to announce a second season.
In conclusion, Jason Shah’s experience on the set of Heeramandi sheds light on the complexities of working in the entertainment industry and the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for all cast and crew members.
