Shekhar Suman expressed his gratitude towards Sanjay Leela Bhansali for selecting him for a role of Zulfikar in Heeramandi, especially during a period when he was questioning why he wasn't getting the roles he felt he deserved.
Shekhar Suman was interacting with media during a promotional event for Heeramandi series.
Talking about his role and expressing his gratitude towards SLB, actor Shekhar said, “Sanjay Leela Bhansali chose me, I am grateful for that, especially during a time when I was dwindling with my thoughts, why I am not getting the roles which I deserve, as an actor, I have done quite diverse work, but if I talk about character which I play in the movies and OTT, the roles which I desired, or waited for, I didn’t get them. I still don’t know the reason why I didn’t get those parts, because as an actor I give my hundred percent, and I don’t think there is a role in this world which I cannot do.”
While he has consistently delivered what the audience expects from him, Shekhar Suman wants to exceed those expectations and deliver something unexpected. He sees his role in Bhansali's upcoming project, "Heeramandi," as the beginning of this journey, hoping it will change the audience's perspective towards him.
He said, “I want to do the roles which I desire, I want to surprise and shock the world and make them wonder, how did I do it. See, what the audience expects from me, is something I always deliver, but I want to go beyond that and deliver something unexpected. And I am hoping that with Heeramandi, I am starting on that journey, and it will change the perspective of the audience towards me.”
Heeramandi - The Diamond Bazaar, series created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, revolves around courtesans amidst Indian independence movement against the British Raj. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Sharmin Segal, along with many others. The series starts streaming from 1st May 2024.