By Anil Merani: Yet another TV actress is leaping the big league. Sanjeeda Shaikh impresses with her acting and dancing skills in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series Heeramanadi. The series is about the lives of tawaifs at the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore during the Indian independence movement against the British Raj. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal.
Sanjeeda, who made her debut on the small screen years ago with Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka, has truly evolved as a performer, diligently honing her skills with each project. Her journey from TV ( Kayamath and Ek Hasina Thi) to films( Taish and Fighter) and OTT platforms is a shining testament to her talent and unwavering dedication. TV actors often face the challenge of being typecast due to their over-the-top acting, but Sanjeeda has broken through these barriers with her sheer determination.
In Heeramandi, Sanjeeda’s dancing prowess is truly a sight to behold. It takes exceptional skill and talent to secure a role in any Sanjay Leela Bhansali production, and Sanjeeda has certainly proven her mettle. Her performance in Heeramandi is a testament to her dedication and hard work, leaving the audience in awe of her talent.
Waheda looks like a million dollars in those beautiful, ornate costumes. Sanjeeda must have worked on her body language to fit the character’s look and feel.
It must have taken guts for Sanjeeda to essay the character of the dancing woman who got a facial scar. She has displayed the resultant pain and agony very well; kudos.
Her Urdu diction is spot-on, making for compelling dialogue. It must have been intimidating to lock horns with some of the best in the business, Manisha Koilaral, etc
Sanjeeda stand out in the narrative and could be one of the finds of Heeramandi destined for bigger things in showbiz,
Sanjeeda sure knows how to promote a good product. His signature sartorial sari at one such event grabbed a lot of eyeballs.
Fortunately for Sanjeeda, she has reached her peak at the right time. The days when women were used only for eye candy and had a limited shelf life are long gone. Today, women of all ages are getting substantial roles, marking a significant shift in the entertainment industry. This evolution of opportunities for women is a promising sign for the future of gender equality in the industry.