The esteemed Bollywood actress Aditi Rao Hydari, who has recently graced the screens as Bibbojaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s inaugural web series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, took a reflective gaze into her past role as Mehrunisa in Bhansali’s magnum opus ‘Padmaavat’ from 2018. Throughout her conversation with IANS, the actress articulated a deep-seated affection for her work with Bhansali, revealing a willingness to embrace similar roles with open arms.
During the dialogue, Aditi exuded an air of reverence for the filmmaker, implicating the heart-driven relationship that bonds her with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “I am very protective of him. I feel he is very precious, and he should just be protected. For me, it’s a huge blessing and a blessing from him. When he called me for Mehrunisa, he said that of the four, it’s the smallest part, but believe me, it will be beautiful. I just love him, his cinema, his mind, and his heart so much,” she explained. Even acknowledging her own growth since then, she remained ever grateful for the opportunity to be part of Bhansali’s panoramic vision.
Furthermore, Aditi detailed her aspirations to delve into a Sanjay Leela Bhansali song and dance, reminiscing on her desire to spend more time immersed in his sets, and possibly undertaking a more expansive heroine role. However, she found solace in the fact that even her brief on-screen presence as Mehrunisa left a resounding impact on the audience, a testament to Bhansali’s directorial prowess. “The 20-25-minute role was a complete role,” she said, celebrating how Mehrunisa found a permanent place in the hearts of viewers.
With ‘Heeramandi’, Aditi rejoiced in receiving another chance to experience life through the creations of Bhansali and to sit in proximity to the mind she regards as genius. This time invested, she implied, was still insufficient, as working with a director of such caliber is akin to an addiction.
When probed about her ideal role within Bhansali’s universe, Aditi maintained a trusting demeanor, confident that any character carved out for her by the director would be extraordinary. It’s the emotional resonance of the role that matters to her, irrespective of its duration. “Obviously, the child in me wants to be the protagonist of a film because you get to live that life longer and you get to be with the director. And obviously, that is my priority. So if a ‘Mehrunisa’ kind of cameo comes up I will never say no,” Aditi affirmed, referencing her recent portrayal in the Tamil romantic drama ‘Hey! Sinamika’.
Comparing her stance to the approaches practiced by actors in Hollywood, Aditi Rao Hydari encouraged a more fearless mindset toward accepting diverse roles. She cited examples like Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, and Brad Pitt, who have not shied away from smaller roles, leaving a significant mark on both the story and the audience. “So why should we fear,” she posited, alluding to the evolving mentality of today’s audience and industry that values the substance of a character over their screen time.
These revelations came as ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, the series boasting a stellar ensemble including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Shaikh, premiered on the popular streaming platform Netflix.
With Aditi Rao Hydari’s continued collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and her openness to varied roles that resonate on an emotional level, it is clear that her journey with the acclaimed filmmaker is far from over, presenting a promising horizon for both the actress and her avid admirers.
