Heeramandi actress Sharmin Segal has faced backlash since the release of the web series for both her performance and alleged 'plastic surgery'. Netizens criticised her looks and expressions in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web show. Following the criticism, recently, Sharmin shared her desire to look like Bella Hadid and discussed beauty standards and self-acceptance of her own body.
During an interview with News18, Sharmin expressed, “I love my body, but there are days when I’m not happy with the way I look. I feel bloated sometimes. If I eat French fries for dinner, I feel bloated the next day. Coming to terms with how you look is a slow process because your body keeps changing. Coming to terms with those changes that are out of our control and still being comfortable with yourself and working towards being the best version of yourself that makes you happy is tough. Sometimes you may work out every day, but that might not show on your body. But you need to be okay with putting in that effort, knowing that it may not show. And yes, sometimes I wish I looked like Bella Hadid.”
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Meanwhile, Sharmin also addressed the ongoing discussions about her, including accusations of mistreating her co-star Aditi Rao Hydari. For context, clips from the web show’s pre-release event appeared to show Sharmin being disrespectful to her co-stars Aditi, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh. However, Sharmin insists there's no bad blood between them and is thankful they defended her.
She told India Today, “I see that my co-stars are courageous people to come out and talk in my support,” adding that it’s humbling to know they feel that way.
Sharmin revealed that some co-stars personally reached out to her, and their public support made her feel like hugging them. The Malaal actress admitted that things have been taken out of context from her previous interviews and that the negativity has taught her how to react to situations and understand that sometimes “the world just doesn't appreciate you for exactly who you are.”
Sharmin confessed, “Richa (Chadha) has checked in on me every day and tried to tell people that the interviews are taken out of context because she was sitting right next to me.” Earlier this month, Richa penned a long note defending Sharmin.
Sharmin is okay with criticism of her Heeramandi performance but finds personal attacks upsetting. “It’s making me sad… People who don’t know me are calling me rude, arrogant, and disrespectful,” she said.
Despite the controversy, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi, available on Netflix, has been renewed for Season 2.