Richa takes inspiration from Meena Kumari
Actress, who essays the role of Lajjo in ‘Heeramandi ...’, harked back to the timeless classic, ‘Pakeezah’
Richa Chadha, who is gearing up for the upcoming series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, revealed how she delved into the iconic performances of legendary actor Meena Kumari to craft her character.
Chadha, who essays the role of Lajjo, a courtesan with a captivating persona, shared that she found inspiration in Meena Kumari’s portrayal of Shahibjaan in the timeless classic, Pakeezah.
“Carefully observing, learning from and taking lessons from Meena Kumariji’s character in Pakeezah was a truly enriching and deeply transforming experience for me, ahead of shooting for Heeramandi. In the movie Paakezah, Meena Kumari’s character has a certain tragic depth and complexity that resonated with Lajjo, the character that I play in the show. I worked on the voice and diction, while studying Meenaji’s work, to the point of imitation sometimes. I felt like I was walking in the footsteps of a cinematic legend, and it was an honour to pay tribute to Meena Kumariji through my portrayal of Lajjo,” she said in a statement.
Set against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar promises to be an epic saga of love, power, revenge, and freedom.
Bhansali Productions shared the trailer on their official Instagram handle. The caption reads, “In the glittering, regal halls of Shahi Mahal, romance and revolution clash in silence ... Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s sweeping saga of love, loss and liberation — Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Trailer out now!”
The intriguing trailer showcases the lives of courtesans in Heeramandi, Lahore, British India. Outside, the city is rolling with revolutionaries seeking India’s independence from British domination, with Mallikajaan’s daughter, Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari), joining the struggle for freedom.