Pakistani actress Mahira Khan recently revealed that Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had considered casting her in his popular Netflix series Heeramandi nearly 15 years ago.
In an interview with Haroon Rashid, Khan shared her excitement about Bhansali’s work, recalling how her childhood friend, who was visiting Bombay for a wedding, learned that the director was scouting for actors in Pakistan. Her friend, in collaboration with designer Rizwan Baig, suggested Khan for the role.
Khan traveled to India for a meeting with Bhansali, where they spoke extensively about the project. The director was eager to have her join the movie, which was later developed into a series. However, due to political tensions between India and Pakistan at the time, Khan was unable to be a part of the series.
She later met Bhansali again while working on her Bollywood debut, Raees, alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Bhansali had previously mentioned in an interview that actors like Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Imran Abbas were once considered for the show, before the casting choices changed.
Reflecting on her career, Khan shared how she now feels more at peace with herself and grateful for the journey her audience has taken with her.
