Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates wholesome characters, says Aditi Rao Hydari

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Aditi Rao Hydari is once again working with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the upcoming Netflix web series 'Heeramandi'. After the first look was launched a few days ago, Aditi said Bhansali creates wholesome characters in his films.

Speaking to Pinkvilla, Aditi said the representation of women in Bhansali's films stems from his vision and understanding of women. "The layers that he brings into this girl in that time, in the position that she is in, he doesn’t make her just a cardboard cut-out." She added that there are a lot of layers and so much subtext he gives to an actor.

"We talk about heroines, but heroines are also people. They are not just pretty cardboard cut-outs. It’s not just about how they look, there's so much heart and soul that goes into creating that character. It's really about directors who want to bring that out in their heroines and the women they write for. I would give all the credit to the director," said the actress.

She played the role of Mehrunisa in Padmaavat for which she was praised a lot by the critics and the audience. She said creating Mehrunisa and pushing an actor into making a very wholesome girl was Bhansali's doing.

Aditi had little screen space in Padmaavat but people remembered Mehrunisa. "In Padmaavat, of the four principles, mine was actually the smallest in terms of screen time but it was so fulfilling for me to do. A heroine is not a heroine for the time she spends on camera. A heroine is a heroine for the life that she lives and the way that she impacts people who watch her."

Heeramandi tells the story of the courtesans of Lahore. Set in pre-independent Hindustan, the plot will explore the lesser-known facets of their lives. Bhansali said it is a milestone in his career and he is excited but nervous about making it. "This is an epic, first-of-its-kind series based on the courtesans of Lahore."