Heeramandi’s Taha Shah Badussha on co-actor Sharmin Segal getting trolled for ‘expressionless’ acting: ‘She tried her best, how it comes off to audience…’

Taha Shah Badussha, who plays Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, reacts to Sharmin Segal getting trolled and criticised for her 'poor' performance in the series.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | May 16, 2024 11:11 AM IST

3 min read

Taha Shah Badussha defends co-star Sharmin Segal amid trolling

Taha Shah Badussha is basking in the success of Netflix’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, and by his own admission, it was something he hadn’t anticipated. However, unfortunately, her co-star, Sharmin Segal, who plays Alamzeb and his love interest in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s show, didn’t receive the same love for her performance. Taha has finally spoken up about the criticism his co-star has faced for her ‘expressionless’ acting. In a recent interview with Zoom, the Baar Baar Dekho actor, who plays Tajdar Baloch, defended Sharmin’s performance and work ethic, shedding light on the challenges of being a newcomer in the industry. For the unversed, Sharmin is the niece of Bhansali.

“Sharmin has only done two films, and her method involves keeping it subtle,” Taha explained, adding, “Having worked with her, I know she’s given her best as an actor. I didn’t anticipate receiving this much love and appreciation for my role, hence the audience can be quite unpredictable to be honest. As far as Sharmin and her performance are concerned, I’ve literally lived with her on the sets. She was always punctual and tried to do her best. How it comes off to the audience, is a different ball game and I can’t comment on them. But I know that she has got a great heart. She was always present on the set and as an actor, that’s what you all need.”

According to the Taha, comparing Sharmin to veteran actors and her co-stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditi Rao Hydari, who have years of experience under their belt, isn’t fair. “Manisha ma’am has worked with the best of the best directors and best of the best actors. People learn over time. If the audience has found fault in Sharmin, she will do even better. I know she wants to and is eager to learn,” he added.

While Manisha’s character, Mallikajaan, may have appeared intimidating on-screen, Taha shared that off-screen, the actor was quite the opposite. “Manisha Koirala ma’am jokes outside the set and not on the set,” he revealed. Taha stressed that despite her professionalism, she was never intimidating. “She held onto her character. She is very serious and doesn’t even laugh when in her character. When she came to the set with her mom and she said that she liked my acting. The scene, where I meet her to ask her for Alabzeb’s hand in marriage, was done twice. Initially, without Farida Jalal ma’am. She was quite a sport while doing the scene,” he narrated.

Speaking about veteran actor Farida Jalal, who plays his grandmother in the series, Taha praised her joyful presence and resilience on set. “Farida ji was a bundle of joy, a true soldier. Despite her age and health challenges, she never gave up. She shared the story of her late husband and soulmate with me. Every time she spoke of him, she cried. She believes he’s waiting for her above,” Taha fondly recalled.

From the homepage