Fardeen Khan reveals Sanjay Leela Bhansali did not see passion in his eyes in the 2000s
Fardeen Khan is making a comeback after more than a decade in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s grand drama series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, where he will play the character of Wali Mohammed.
The series has generated a lot of buzz among fans due to its spectacular production. The cast, which includes Fardeen Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, and Taha Shah Badussha, recently participated in an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla. During the conversation, Fardeen shared that back in the 2000s, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had informed him that they couldn’t work together as he didn’t see the passion in his eyes.
Fardeen Khan’s Attempt to Work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the 2000s
During a chat with Pinkvilla, Fardeen Khan was surprised to learn that Sanjay Leela Bhansali had a small role written for him in Black. However, it didn’t come to fruition for unknown reasons. In response, the actor expressed his surprise, saying, “This is news to me. I don’t know what to say about this.”
He added, “I am going to share a story about when I approached Sanjay sir for Wali Mohammed. I visited his office in the early 2000s seeking work, hoping to collaborate with him. After meeting me for about 10-15 minutes, he said, ‘Fardeen, I don’t think we can work together because I don’t see that fire in your eyes.’
The actor went on to say, “While it may have seemed harsh at the time, I told him this time that even though it was tough to hear then, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I thanked him for his honesty. He never mentioned wanting to cast me in Black. This is new information for me. But having the opportunity to work with a master craftsman like him has been a valuable learning experience that has enriched me on many levels.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:
About Heeramandi
Directed by SLB, Heeramandi tells the story of love and betrayal among courtesans in pre-independence India. The series stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal, Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman in key roles.
The plot revolves around a power struggle between rivals Mallikajaan and Fareedan for control of Heeramandi, a domain ruled by courtesans. Amidst this conflict, the story follows Alam, Mallikajaan’s youngest daughter, who becomes the last hope for the future.