Heeramandi is one of the biggest Hindi web series of 2024. Created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, it stars an amazing ensemble cast: Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, Fardeen Khan, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and others. For quite some time, there were reports that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan was also offered the show. Now, in an interview, she has confirmed the same.
Mahira Khan revealed that 15 years ago, she met Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She was in Mumbai for her childhood friend's wedding and Bhansali for looking for a Pakistani actress. Moin Beg and Rizwan Beg were discussing how they were not able to find the apt girl for the role. When Mahira's friend visited designer Rizwan for her outfit, he spoke about wanting a girl from Pakistan. That's when Khan's friend Sharmeen introduced him to Mahira.
Later, Mahira Khan visited SLB's studio in a simple white salwar kameez. She recalled that a guy asked her if she's Madhubala. " I said yes and then he said, 'Would you like it if you did an Indian film?' I said, 'Yes, I'll do, but with Shah Rukh Khan.' Look at the mentality. He then said, "You are coming to India and I would like you to meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali.'"
When Mahira met Sanjay Leela Bhansali, he asked her to wipe her lipstick. When she said she was not wearing any lipstick, he was amazed. That's when the director told him that he wants her for Heeramandi. Mahira shared that Bhansali was quite excited but things didn't work out. "It was in the works and it was a film at that time and right after that, some attacks happened. So for political problems, I couldn't work in it." Sadly, the attacks happened and Khan couldn't be a part of the show as the production work had started back then.
Mahira Khan made her Bollywood debut in 2017 with Raees, which stars Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. It is the only Indian project the actress has been a part of.
