Jason Shah played the role of a British cop named Cartwright in Heeramandi. (Photos: Instagram)
Jason Shah admitted that he was hesitant before shooting the intimate scene with Indresh Malik.
Heeramandi actor Jason Shah has opened up about his intimate same-sex scene in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s show. Jason, who played the role of a British cop named Cartwright, was seen getting intimate with Ustadji, played by Indresh Malik in one of the episodes.
Jason admitted that he was hesitant before shooting the scene but added that he had full confidence in Bhansali and was sure that the director would not portray it cheaply.
“Obviously there was, because this isn’t something I’ve done before. To be so close to another man, you will face… hesitation is the perfect word. I wasn’t hesitating to say yes to the show, and I felt comfortable because I was working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, so I knew aesthetically, it wouldn’t be portrayed in a way that would seem cheap. I knew that his standard would be met. I was definitely nervous coming up to that day. They told me in the night that tomorrow would be that scene,” he told Filmibeat OTT.
Jason further praised Indresh Malik and thanked him for making him comfortable before their intimate scene. He called Indresh “so professional” and revealed that the two developed a bond at lunch before their love-making scene.
“I’ll always remember, on the drive there, I was like, ‘What’s going to happen?’ But Indresh Malik was so sweet, he was also so professional. We built a rapport at lunch, and by the time we got to the scene, we were very comfortable with each other. Yes, a little nervous. But you know what they say, when you have butterflies in your stomach, use it,” he said.
In the same interview, Jason also opened up about shooting the rape scene with Mallikajaan aka Manisha Koirala. The actor admitted that he was “hesitant” before the sexual assault scene and mentioned that he was being cautious especially when he was supposed to slap Mallikajaan.
“I was hesitant. The fighter master wanted me to slap her in a more realistic manner but I was very careful, I was watching my actions. I even flicked her nose ring off in one scene, it got that close. That’s what I was telling the fight master that if we are not in coordination, I might end up hurting her, and obviously, she is an older woman, so it is my responsibility and I had to take care,” Jason said.
Released on May 1, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s OTT debut. The show premiered on Netflix also also stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal Mehta, Farida Jalal, Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman and Adhyayan Suman in key roles. It explores the various aspects of a woman’s trials and tribulations.
