Shekhar Suman’s recent comparison of Sanjay Leela Bhansali with “perfectionists” who are “always short-tempered” was met with a strong reaction from his Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar co-star Sharmin Segal Mehta, who happens to be Bhansali’s niece. And now, Richa Chadha, who plays a pivotal role in the historical drama series, shares her thoughts on the maker’s demeanour towards his actors. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, she defends him and says, “Calling someone ‘temperamental’ is a subjective opinion. You could call me temperamental. I could be on my period and actually be temperamental, physically.”
According to her, actors make for the most ‘privileged’ group of people on a set and for them to be complaining about Bhansali being a hard taskmaster isn’t fair. “Actors are really coddled. On a massive show, sometimes they might not want to give a long shot and want their body doubles to give cues to other actors. They themselves might not want to give cues, step in hot water and do a take 99 times. But these are the things that are asked of an actor irrespective of whether they’re ill or it’s pouring,” she points out.
Chadha believes that a director like Bhansali telling his actors to do their job diligently isn’t wrong and that it shouldn’t make him a difficult person. “Come hell or high water, we’ve to deliver because there’s a bunch of 200-400 people waiting for us on an already constructed set with the lighting team already prepped up. I’m not saying that one needs to be inhuman in terms of treating an actor. But this is literally our job. I don’t understand why people say these things,” states the actor, who is soon going to embrace motherhood.
Talking about how actors who ‘everyone is quite soft on’ should stop complaining, she adds, “I’m also an actor and a producer now too and I think I’ve quite a privileged job. We aren’t the first or the last ones to leave a set. Whenever we stand, someone comes and offers us a chair to sit on and water to drink. We’re constantly asked, ‘Are you feeling okay today? How’s your health? Did you sleep and rest well?’”
Chadha, in fact, recently said that she shares ‘a deep connection as old souls who harbor a profound love and respect for classic art forms’ with Bhansali. And a director like him who’s temperamental for others is someone with ‘very high standards’ for her. “There’s a lot of money riding on him and his projects. I would probably have the same high standards if I was a director. Bhansali sir is the captain of the ship. And at the same time, I find him to be very compassionate about our moods,” asserts the Fukrey 3 and Love Sonia actor.
Heeramandi also stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sanjeeda Shaikh. It is set for a release on Netflix on May 1.
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