The buzz around Heeramandi refuses to die down, and now with the announcement of a sequel, the conversation has taken a dramatic turn. Sharmin Segal Mehta, who is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s niece, has been the center of this whirlwind ever since her performance in the first installment sparked a barrage of trolling and memes. Despite having addressed the criticism in an exclusive chat with us, it seems the audience is not ready to let her off the hook just yet. The latest uproar? The casting of Sharmin in Heeramandi 2.
Sharmin, who has become somewhat of a lightning rod for criticism, told News18 that she has only watched Heeramandi once. “I’ve watched Heeramandi just once because I don’t like over-watching my work. I only watch as much as required. You do get feedback and you need to reflect on everything that’s being said to you because as an actor, you don’t always get to go to the monitor and see what you’ve done,” she shared.
Apparently, seeing herself on screen induces a bout of self-critique and shyness. “It’s so different to watch your own work, Heeramandi in this case, because I tend to watch it from a certain perspective. You tend to get critical of yourself. I get so shy and giggly when I watch myself onscreen (laughs). My cheeks also turn red!” she confessed, adding a splash of relatable vulnerability to her professional demeanor.
Despite the onslaught of memes and relentless trolling, Sharmin remains undeterred. “Whatever you’re putting out there is something that’s coming from within you. So, when you’re watching yourself again, you’re judging yourself in a way and looking at yourself from a certain lens and that makes me a little shy,” she admitted.
Sharmin drew parallels with her debut film Malaal, recalling a similar wave of self-consciousness. “To have the ability to go and put yourself out there in front of so many people is a privilege. The first time I watched Malaal, I thought to myself that the screen is so big and that’s my face right up there (laughs)! The fact that I can reach out to so many people made me feel shy.”