Sharmin Segal cried on Malaal set after Sanjay Leela Bhansali rejected her shot post 30 takes

The debate around nepotism in Bollywood has once again taken centre stage as netizens are brutally trolling Sharmin Segal for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Many are criticising the director for giving the lead role to his niece instead of other deserving actors who would better suit the role of Alamzeb in the Netflix India series.

Despite giving several interviews, Sharmin has not addressed the criticism she's getting for her performance in the web series, which also starred Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh. However, an old interview of the actress is going viral on social media, where she is seen recalling a grilling encounter with her uncle-director on the sets of her debut film, Malaal.

While promoting her debut film, Sharmin revealed in 2019 that SLB, who was the producer of the film, never turned up on the sets except one day. The actress was filming a song sequence that day and was very nervous to see her uncle and mentor supervising the shot.

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She said, "I got screwed so much in that one shot. I usually gave 15 takes. I shouldn't say that (smiles). It took me 25 cuts that day. Then it finally happened. Whatever I had prepared for the entire day, got wasted on that one shot. When I got back to my vanity van, sir came and said, ‘I’m enjoying a lot. I'll stay back for one more shot'."

She added, "I went back on set. 30 takes, it didn't get approved. Then I got frustrated. He didn't scream at me. He didn't say anything except, ‘You have to do this.’ And I couldn't do it. So I cried after 30 takes."

Sharminworked as an assistant director in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Mary Kom, Bajirao Mastani and Gangubai Kathiawadi. She made her acting debut in Mangesh Hadawale's Malaal, opposite Meezaan Jafri.

In 2022, she also played the lead role in Atithi Bhooto Bhava, written by Aniket Wakchaure and directed by Hardik Gajjar. It also featured Jackie Shroff and Pratik Gandhi.