Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi is one of the most awaited shows of the year. Actress Richa Chadha, who has previously worked with the director in the 2013 release Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram Leela, spoke with Hindustan Times to talk in detail about her experience working in Heeramandi. In the series, she plays the role of Lajjo – a woman she describes as ‘sweet and frustrated’. This is completely different from the bold and outspoken characters played by Richa in the last few years. He also shared how Rekha reacted to his performance after the screening. Part. (Also Read: Unseen photos from Heeramandi premiere: Sanjay Leela Bhansali poses with Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Rekha)
Heeramandi looks fantastic – the sets, the costumes, your look! Tell us a bit about the day you walked on set for the first time.
Yes! The first time I went on the set was when we were talking about which character I would play. The set took a lot of time to build. I think I was overwhelmed by her… I think it was her too [Sanjay Leela Bhansali] Largest set. It was spread over a large geographical area in Film City, and it is very beautiful. There were different places – one was the kitchen, and my bedroom; Each character had their own rooms. I also had a bathroom. There was a hammam in someone else’s bedroom. It had fountains, a ChaubaraOne Skull, and balconies. There was a performance hall, a ballroom and even a café! There was just a whole street! He had almost built a town with shops; They are selling everything from kites to perfumes and dupattas. there was a Dargah At the entrance of where we were to shoot. It was very beautiful. It was a phone-free set, otherwise I would have just gone through and shot everything. It was absolutely amazing – the level of detail was absolutely amazing.
Everything Sanjay Leela Bhansali does has a distinct touch to it – where at first glance you can tell it’s his. Then there are these intricately designed song sequences. Of course, you have worked with him before in Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram Leela. Tell me a little about your relationship with him and your experience working together on Heeramandi.
It was a pleasure to work with him. It is a pleasure to be guided by someone who ensures that when you start a project with him and when you complete it, you are so challenged in your abilities that you come out of the experience significantly changed. Are.
For me, I didn’t know that I could do what I did on the show. You know, that’s why I agreed to play this character. It’s very different from what people expect from me, but I had a lot of fun and I think she has a very kind eye and she’s an aesthetic. In the sense that nothing flies under their radar in terms of quality. No costumes, no music, no dialogue, and certainly no performances.
It’s a real joy – to find someone as inspired, motivated and passionate about his art as him. Only then you can know him. The aim is to make you a better actor after every project. But this does not always happen. In his case, I can say with confidence that most of us have had the same experience while working with him.
Tell me a little about your character Lajjo and how you prepare to get into the mindset of this character. Did Bhansali sir give you any reference points – like for the accent, his body language… because it’s a completely different era?
it is! This is a different era and people have a different rhythm of speaking. There is a certain lyrical, musical quality to Lajjo’s way of speaking. The reference point he gave me was Meena Kumari of Pakeezah. And allusions to his own life and struggles. My character also has an addiction problem, he is kind of self-destructive, love-lost and depressed. He has no agency (smiles). I wanted to play a role where I am called out to be outspoken, badass and courageous after experimenting with roles. I wanted to see how this investigation ends. Also, it has to be seen how the audience reacts. I don’t know whether I succeeded or not, but after my two scenes there was spontaneous applause in the hall, so I was very grateful. It is a big thing for any actor to get such recognition.
I want to ask you specifically about Gross Bun, and how much of a joy it was to see you dance to that song. We haven’t seen you in this avatar before, how was it on that set?
This is the entry song of my character Lajjo. Then his character comes back and sees this whole celebration and joins in. When the shooting of the song started, initially none of us were supposed to dance in it. But it is quite comfortable with Bhansali sir. The choreography was not very challenging. It was actually quite simple because the focus is on mood and Spring, the blossoming of youth. I love dancing and have trained in Kathak, but I don’t have any films that can showcase that side of me. It’s funny because who would see Bholi Punjaban suddenly dancing (laughs)? I firmly believe that dancing for anyone adds rhythm to their performance. It teaches you more about rhythm and how to get into rhythm while speaking dialogues too. This kind of thing happened here and I loved doing it. I hope that now I will get to do more work in it.
Since you mentioned rhythm, this is a recurring point in Bhansali’s work. There is a rhythm at every point. Nothing happens out of rhythm, there is a rhythm to his scenes, his dialogues…
This is because he is trained in music and trained in Odissi- one of the most difficult classical dance forms. What happens with this is that you learn to listen to music in a different way. You learn to identify different musical instruments. For example, the song Sakal Ban is very beautiful but it is hundreds of years old. At least four hundred-five hundred years old. Just adding one instrument to it – the drums you hear is very catchy and powers the whole thing. So yes, I think that’s why I like working with him. Whenever I talk to any classical singer or dancer they say, ‘Oh, once in my life I want to work with Mr. Bhansali because he has this understanding and he is a great connoisseur of the culture.’ This aspect also makes me enjoy his company, and what he creates, even more.
The things he gets people to do – for example, the single-take song with Alia in Gangubai Kathiwadi [Bhatt] In Garba. We haven’t seen Alia do anything like this before, where she gives her all in this one song. This is very challenging. You have to constantly act and dance in character. It’s wonderful to take on a folk form and do so. I love working with them for these reasons and I’m glad I can now be a part of that journey more than once.
There was a recent video from the screening of Heeramandi a few days ago in which we saw Rekha kissing your baby bump and you looked overwhelmed with emotion. Tell me about his reaction to your performance and what that conversation was like?
(smiling) Man, this was magic! I remember the screening was over and we just hugged and started crying because like I said my character is tragic. I couldn’t control my tears or look away and being appreciated by a legend like him gave me all the validation I needed.
At that time, we were just talking and whoever took that video, credit to them because it is very raw and very beautiful. She hugged me and she looked at me as if she could feel my baby bump because I was in my seventh month. She was like, ‘Oh my God, this is such a blessing.’ Can I?’ I was like, ‘What?’ Yes!’ Oh God, may my child be blessed with a legend! So generous, so sweet and so kind! The words of praise that he showered not only on me but on everyone! How special she is and how much she respects Mr. Bhansali… how lovely she looks! For me, I don’t think there can be another line. There can’t be anyone who manages to balance both commercial and non-mainstream so beautifully. We all have grown up watching him in Umrao Jaan and Khoon Bharti Maang. Having him in the hall was a blessing. I was overwhelmed and a little speechless.
Congratulations also on Girls Will Be Girls, which is a beautiful film.
Thank you! Have you seen it? Did you! Oh my god! Thank you! I can’t wait for it to be released here so more people can see it.
Heeramandi will release on Netflix in May
