Shekhar Suman has marked his OTT debut and how! His performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi’, as the nuanced Zulfikar Ahmed, his chemistry with Mallika Jaan (Manisha Koirala), has left everyone wanting for more. And that’s precisely the only criticism that Shekhar Suman has received for his entire act.
Explaining the same, he shared, “When you’re in a team, everybody’s equally important, from the captain to the tailender.So this is essentially the story of the tawaifs, and they have to be given that kind of importance. Now, the challenge here is that you have lesser scenes but a pivotal character, because even when you’re not there, people are talking about you throughout the episodes. That means it’s a very, very significant character, but within the time frame that you’re given, you have to prove it, and that you can deliver. And that’s a do-or-die kind of thing, you have very limited time but have to leave an impact.”
Referencing Bobby Deol’s impactful short appearance in ‘Animal’ and Shashi Kapoor’s impressive act in ‘Deewar’, Shekhar Suman added, “You tend to get a little dejected sometimes, thinking, I wish I had more screen time. But in today’s era, it’s not the length of the role. Today, it’s about how much of an impact the character is making. A bright example is Bobby in ‘Animal’! I wondered when he would come, since I had heard so much about his character. Now, the film’s about to end and he came in the last few frames, and that too he didn’t have any dialogues. Yet he left a mark, made his presence felt. So, you know, you take a cue from that. Or for instance, in a film like ‘Deewar’, where Mr Bachchan has so many iconic dialogues. The entire film belongs to Vijay. So then, what is Mr Shashi Kapoor doing there? He is enabling the story to go forward as his brother and only four words which he said became so iconic! ‘Mere paas maa hai’ has become historic today! So, it is the impact of what you are doing at that given period of time which makes history, and not the length of the role. There are actors working on a three-hour film, which nobody bothers to see, and films are falling all over like ninepins. So, what’s the point? So, whether it’s a small or a big role, you have to do justice to it.”
Speaking about the subtle behavioral traits of his character, Shekhar Suman stated,”Amidst all the characters in Heeramandi, Zulfikar is one of the main protagonists. He has the entire confrontation with Malika Jaan, their relationship, how he deals with her, subjugates her, he threatens… so it is a very layered and nuanced sort of a role. Even while he’s showing her Fareedan’s different photographs, there is a certain kind of hidden sexuality in it, the way he’s touching her feet, coming close to her ear, and then they’re looking into each other and smiling. Though it’s a very informative scene, you have to bring about the subtext in it, which makes it pivotal.”
Explaining the same, he shared, “When you’re in a team, everybody’s equally important, from the captain to the tailender.So this is essentially the story of the tawaifs, and they have to be given that kind of importance. Now, the challenge here is that you have lesser scenes but a pivotal character, because even when you’re not there, people are talking about you throughout the episodes. That means it’s a very, very significant character, but within the time frame that you’re given, you have to prove it, and that you can deliver. And that’s a do-or-die kind of thing, you have very limited time but have to leave an impact.”
Referencing Bobby Deol’s impactful short appearance in ‘Animal’ and Shashi Kapoor’s impressive act in ‘Deewar’, Shekhar Suman added, “You tend to get a little dejected sometimes, thinking, I wish I had more screen time. But in today’s era, it’s not the length of the role. Today, it’s about how much of an impact the character is making. A bright example is Bobby in ‘Animal’! I wondered when he would come, since I had heard so much about his character. Now, the film’s about to end and he came in the last few frames, and that too he didn’t have any dialogues. Yet he left a mark, made his presence felt. So, you know, you take a cue from that. Or for instance, in a film like ‘Deewar’, where Mr Bachchan has so many iconic dialogues. The entire film belongs to Vijay. So then, what is Mr Shashi Kapoor doing there? He is enabling the story to go forward as his brother and only four words which he said became so iconic! ‘Mere paas maa hai’ has become historic today! So, it is the impact of what you are doing at that given period of time which makes history, and not the length of the role. There are actors working on a three-hour film, which nobody bothers to see, and films are falling all over like ninepins. So, what’s the point? So, whether it’s a small or a big role, you have to do justice to it.”
Speaking about the subtle behavioral traits of his character, Shekhar Suman stated,”Amidst all the characters in Heeramandi, Zulfikar is one of the main protagonists. He has the entire confrontation with Malika Jaan, their relationship, how he deals with her, subjugates her, he threatens… so it is a very layered and nuanced sort of a role. Even while he’s showing her Fareedan’s different photographs, there is a certain kind of hidden sexuality in it, the way he’s touching her feet, coming close to her ear, and then they’re looking into each other and smiling. Though it’s a very informative scene, you have to bring about the subtext in it, which makes it pivotal.”
Indresh Malik: My close ones cried after watching me in Heeramandi; it was like their own success
