Fardeen Khan is making a grand comeback to acting, after more than a decade long hiatus from the big screen. He will be starring in filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming Netflix series, ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.’ In an interview with Pinkvilla, Fardeen revealed that he had approached Sanjay for work in the early 2000s. However, the director declined, expressing that he didn’t see the necessary passion and fire in Fardeen’s eyes. Fardeen was recently reminded of this incident during an interview, where it was mentioned that Sanjay had written a small role for him in the movie ‘Black’ (2005) which eventually didn’t materialize. Fardeen responded by saying that this was news to him and that he had never heard about it before. He went on to narrate an incident that he had shared with Sanjay when he went to meet him for the role of Wali Mohammed in ‘Heeramandi.’ He recalled visiting Sanjay’s office in the early 2000s, seeking an opportunity to work with the renowned director. After meeting and speaking for about 10-15 minutes, Sanjay expressed his reservations about working with Fardeen, stating that he didn’t see the passion and drive in him. Fardeen admitted that it felt harsh at the time, but in hindsight, he realized that it was exactly what he needed to hear. He thanked Sanjay for his honesty, acknowledging that it helped him grow and improve as an actor. Fardeen further expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Sanjay in ‘Heeramandi,’ calling him a master craftsman. He said that the experience has been enriching and has contributed to his growth on multiple levels. ‘Heeramandi’ is a series that delves into the lives of courtesans in pre-independence India. It features an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Sharmin Segal in lead roles. Fardeen Khan will also be seen in the series alongside Taha Shah, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.
Fardeen Khan on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Refusal to Work with Him in the 2000s
