Jason Shah, a newer actor in the Indian film industry, recently shared his thoughts on his role in the Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. The series marks director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s OTT debut. The show features an impressive ensemble cast, including Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chaddha, Sanjeeda Sheikh & Sharmin Segal. Jason, an actor of Gujarati and English descent, plays the role of the evil British officer Cartwright.
‘It was like a dream come true moment’: Jason Shah on Playing Cartwright in Heeramandi
In an interview, Shah discussed his portrayal of the British police officer Cartwright in the series. He also expressed enthusiasm about his experience while working on Heeramandi. “It was great working with Indian Bollywood actresses. It was like a dream come true moment,” Shah remarked. He further acknowledged the potential impact of his significant screen time on his future career prospects, particularly on international platforms. “Obviously, the amount of screen time I have gotten will help me a lot on international platforms as well. All over it was a good experience for me,” he stated.
He also emphasized the gravity of a particularly intense scene involving his character and Mallikajaan, played by Manisha Koirala. Shah described the scene as pivotal, highlighting its relevance in the narrative. “I think that scene is quite relevant. She does what she does for the sake of her daughter’s freedom. She also realizes that the power-play game still lies in the hands of the British, and she has to do whatever it takes,” Shah explained.
Shah’s comments extended beyond his role, touching on broader social issues. “This situation has happened with Indian women before. That is very sad and unfortunate. I hope this makes people realize the seriousness of these issues at hand,” he added. Shah also expressed a personal connection to the complexities of identity and racism he has faced within his own Gujarati-English family background.
