9 minutes agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
- copy link
Actor Taha Shah Badusha started his acting career with Yash Raj Films’ subsidiary company Y-Films’ first film ‘Love Ka The End’. After this, he got his second big chance in Dharma Production’s film ‘Gippy’. After doing films of two big productions of Indian cinema, Taha Shah did not come into limelight. If seen, the actor got real recognition in the role of Nawab Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s series ‘Heeramandi’. Recently, during a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, the actor told how he got the chance to work in ‘Heeramandi’.
The process of selecting the character of ‘Heeramandi’ was very difficult, tell us something about it?
No one was giving me work here. I had gone to the USA for the audition of Aladdin. I stayed there and started making my base there. During the same time, after Covid, when my visa got terminated, I came back. Then I came to know that everyone here had forgotten me. At that time, my friend Tushar and I thought what to do? Tushar used to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali earlier, he knew that Sanjay Sir was making ‘Heeramandi’. News had also come that the casting of ‘Heeramandi’ has started.
So how did you start your efforts?
Tushar kept calling me for my audition for 15 months. The casting director of this series, Shruti Mahajan, did not give me a chance to audition for six years. I would reach her office. Fed up with me, she auditioned me for a three-day role. At first I thought, after working so hard, I am getting a three-day role? When I was studying in the USA, I was told by giving examples of many actors that you only need one scene. You can get noticed in that one scene and your career can also be made.
You auditioned for a three-day role?
Yes, but I said that that one scene should be mine. I gave the audition, got selected and the contract was also signed. Suddenly I got a call from Sanjay Sir’s office that he wanted to meet me. I was wondering why he wanted to meet me for a three-day role? When I met him, he said that you have done good work but no one knows you. He gave me the role of Balraj. I was shocked as to how he increased my role. After two weeks when I was going to sign a new contract, I got a call that Sanjay Sir has changed his mind. It often happens in my life that I am removed from projects. I felt that I was removed from this project also.
But what happened when you went to meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
I went and held Sanjay sir’s feet. I said if I have made any mistake then please forgive me, but let me do the role. Sanjay sir said I saw your look test, I am giving you the lead role of Tajdar. I was not able to understand what Sanjay sir was saying. He said come tomorrow for the look test, then I realized that he was not joking. I auditioned twice that day. I had good contacts with everyone, but Sanjay sir said don’t call anyone except Shruti.
After how many days did you call Shruti?
I thought that I would get a call in two-four days saying yes or no. When I did not get a call for two weeks, I called Shruti Madam and asked her. She told me that I had not received any call from Sanjay Sir regarding this. When I called again after a month, I got the same answer. After that I stopped calling. While waiting, I got three other projects. One of them was an international project, and I was getting very good money in it.
What was going on in your mind regarding that project?
The problem before me was whether to accept the projects that were coming or wait for ‘Heeramandi’. There was also a fear that if I did any project, I would be removed from the series. I was in a big dilemma. When I asked my mother, her suggestion was to do what my heart says. I listened to my heart and cancelled all the projects. I suddenly came down to zero. After three days, suddenly I got a call from Sanjay sir’s office saying that you are my Tajdar, come to the set tomorrow.
How did you feel when you got a call from Bhansali?
Even when I got a call from Sanjay Sir’s team, I was shocked. It has often happened with me that even after signing the contract, I was not taken in the project. I had not even signed the contract for ‘Heeramandi’ yet. The shooting of the series was going on for three months. When I went to the set, Sanjay Sir asked if I did any project in the meantime. I had shot a little bit in the meantime. When I told Sanjay Sir, he said that now you cannot be Tajdar.
What happened after that ?
I became very sad. I came to know that someone else was being cast for the role of Tajdar. I said give me the role of Balraj. Sanjay sir said no problem, you play the role of Tajdar. Many people wanted me not to play that role, but Sanjay sir was completely confident that I could play that character. I was anything at that time. Sanjay sir believed in me. Tajdar is such a role that everyone wanted to play.
There is talk of making ‘Heeramandi 2’, many people are demanding that you play the role of Alamzeb’s child. What would you like to say?
The audience is always right. It is they who make stars. If the audience conveys this message to Sanjay Sir, then I am ready. I am always ready to work with Sanjay Sir, even if the role is small.
What kind of roles would you like to play in your upcoming projects?
Right now I want to play such roles in which I get a chance to perform. Such an emotional role that I can touch people’s hearts. After doing two-three such films, I would like to do dance and action films.
Some people are comparing you with Shahrukh Khan’s romance and his eyes, while some are comparing you with Fawad Khan and Vicky Kaushal, how do you see this comparison?
They are very big stars. Shahrukh Khan sir is the ideal of all of us. I am not even equal to his nail. If people are saying this then it is a big blessing for me. As far as Vicky and Fawad are concerned, Vicky was my senior in the acting institute. I love him a lot. He is very hardworking. I always keep saying that I want to do a film with him. I have been a fan of Fawad bhai since the time he used to sing.