Sonakshi Sinha says she didn’t try to be in good books of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, reveals she apologised to Manisha Koirala after watching Heeramandi

“This is Manisha Koirala, who we have grown up watching, who has an amazing body of work. I thought I am in front of her, so I better do something good. It is such a pleasure to have that banter with each other, you are fully into it. I enjoyed working with Manisha mam.”

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Heeramandi was also Sonakshi Sinha’s first collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who made his streaming debut with the Netflix show. When asked if she felt she would be in the director’s good books or become his friend while making the show, the actor said she never approached their equation this way.

She said, “I didn’t really try (to be in his good books). He is an artiste himself so I knew the only thing that will ever impress him is good work or if I do my work well. That is exactly what happened. He was not supposed to shoot too many scenes of mine, but then he shot one and kept coming back. We made a beautiful rapport on set where I didn’t have to try too hard and I knew that if I put that pressure on myself, I am going to mess it up.

“I completely surrendered and gave it my best shot. He saw and appreciated that. How I transformed into the character with his instruction, and he liked that about me. There is a lot of respect between the two of us and I am truly grateful that he trusted me with a role like this.”

Heeramandi released earlier this month to a mixed response. While there was love coming Heeramandi’s way, there was also criticism. When asked how she views the brickbats, Sonakshi Sinha said, “You just block out the negativity, focus on the positive. I am very happy with the response the show and I have been getting. I am focusing on that you can’t please everyone. I am ok with that fact I am not even trying to please everyone. I am here to do my job, and if they like it, it is amazing.”

The show also starred Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Sharmin Segal.