EXCLUSIVE: ‘Phatto’ Jayati Bhatia Reveals Fumbling While Shooting FIRST Scene Of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi; Says, “Sanjay Ji Ne Bola Aap Theatre Se Hain”

Jayati Bhatia has opened up about her unexpected journey to being cast in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi, revealing a mix of persistence, surprise, and emotion behind the role. Despite being aware of the project, Bhatia never received an audition call until the final stages. During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Jayati opened up on her bond with the filmmaker and the cast. Scroll down to read what she said and watch the full interview.

Jayati Bhatia On Being Cast As Phatto In Heeramandi

When asked about how she was cast in Heeramandi, Jayati Bhatia shared, “Mujhe yeh pata chala ki do saal se casting ho rahi thi. Badi public ki casting hui, bahut saare actors aaye, phir cancel, phir dobara casting. Mujhe pata tha ki Heeramandi ban rahi hai, lekin mere paas koi call nahi aaya tha. Jabki maine Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir ke 2–3 actors ko train kiya tha, main leads ko bhi characterisation ke liye. But he never thought of me for any character. Phir show se lagbhag ek mahina pehle mujhe Shruti Mahajan ji ka call aaya. Unhone kaha, ‘Do saal se casting kar rahe hain, pata nahi tum dimaag mein kyun nahi aayi. Yeh ek primary character hai aur agar yeh cast nahi hua toh shoot start nahi hoga.'”

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She added, “Unhone mujhe do scenes bheje aur bola, dono ko alag-alag attitude mein shoot karke bhejo. Maine dono characters ke hisaab se scenes kiye aur 2–3 din mein call aa gaya ki I’ve been considered. Sabko audition bahut pasand aaya. Unhone bola ki doosri actress Nivedita Bhattacharya ji ke saath bond banana hoga, kyunki idea twins cast karne ka tha, jo nahi mil paye. Toh unhone do aise characters banaye jo bachpan se saath hain aur ek doosre ko complement karte hain.”

Jayati Recalls The Moment She Was Cast

The actress shared, “Us waqt meri mother hospital mein thi. Maine bola main zyada workshops ke liye time nahi de paungi. Aur meri mother ke passing se do din pehle mujhe call aaya meeting ke liye. Mujhe laga dates fix hongi, par unhone kaha, ‘You have been cast.’ Woh mere liye bahut emotional moment tha. Main turant hospital jaake mummy ko batana chahti thi.

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Jayati Recalls Fumbling In Front Of Sanjay Leela Bhansali

She recalls her first day of shooting, “Jab hum shoot karne gaye, toh matlab pehla shot jo tha, usi meinpmain fumble kar gayi. Aur main pehle shot mein hi main apne dialogues itni baar practice kar chuki thi, lekin phir bhi main fumble kar gayi. Aur Sanjay ji ne kya bola? Mic mein kaha, ‘Aap theatre se hain?’ Bas, meri toh sity-pitti gul ho gayi. Maine socha, ‘Lo, katwa li naak, itne saalon baad aake!’ So I practised it so many times. Wahan baith ke, baar-baar, that shot phir bahut achha gaya. Aur jo pehla shot aapko series mein dikhta hai, main Mallika Jaan, yaani Manisha ji ke paon mein mehendi laga rahi hoon. That is the first shot that I gave for Heeramandi.”

Jayati Bhatia Reveals Witnessing Professionalism On Heeramandi Sets

Speaking about her experience of working in Heeramandi, Jayati shared, “Set par sab bahut professional the. Manisha ji ke saath kaam karna amazing tha — unka dedication mind-blowing hai. Aditi Rao Hydari bahut graceful aur sweet thi. Richa Chadha ne mere kaam ki kaafi tareef ki. Sanjeeda Sheikh ko main pehle se jaanti thi. Nivedita ji ke saath bond dheere-dheere strong hua aur hum bahut haste the. Aur Indresh Malik ke saath toh theatre background ki wajah se aur bhi maza aata tha — hamari vanity van se sabse zyada hasi ki awaaz aati thi.”

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Jayati On Her Bond With Sanjay Leela Bhansali

The actress shared, “But I think mera favourite bond Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir ke saath tha. Woh khud dance aur music ke student rahe hain, toh unse music, theatre aur script par baat karna bahut enriching tha. Log unse baat karne se darte the, par mujhe kabhi dar nahi laga. Mujhe lagta tha itna kuch seekhne ko mil raha hai — daant pad bhi jaaye toh kya hua? Director hai, woh nahi daantenge toh kaun daantega? Aur waise bhi, woh bina wajah kabhi daantte nahi the. Bas chhoti-chhoti cheezein bolte the jaise ‘haath mat hilaiye’ ya ‘itna stiff kyun khadi ho?’ Overall, it was a wonderful lifetime experience.”

About Heeramandi

Heeramandi is a grand period drama series on Netflix that delves into the lives of elite courtesans in pre-independence Lahore. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has directed the show and has dedicated nearly 14 years to developing this project. The show first premiered on 1 May 2024.

Set in the 1940s, Heeramandi narrates the intense power struggle between rival courtesans Mallikajaan and Rehana, against the backdrop of India’s fight for independence. The series featured Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal.

Watch The Full Interview

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Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Jayati Bhatia Recalls Having Same Washroom For Males And Females, Reflects On Harsh Working Conditions In TV Industry; Says, “Filmcity Ke Studio Mein Timing Hoti Thi”

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