'Ustaadji' of Heeramandi, mentioned that Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered him a Rs 500 token of appreciation following the 'nath' scene

Actor Indresh Malik, known for his portrayal of Ustaad ji in the Netflix series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar," revealed an emotional moment from the show where he performed the 'nath' sequence. His moving portrayal led filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali to reward him with a Rs 500 token of appreciation.

A still from 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'

Indresh's character, a queer individual, shares a significant moment with Sonakshi Sinha's character, Fareedan, during the 'nath' sequence. Recalling the experience, Indresh shared that despite the absence of dialogue, Bhansali's narration of the scene brought tears to his eyes.

"The scene resonated deeply with my character, symbolizing acceptance and respect. Upon its completion, I found myself crying uncontrollably for nearly five minutes. Unable to contain my emotions, I vocalized my feelings through howling," Indresh revealed in an interview with Times Now.

During this vulnerable moment, Bhansali approached him, acknowledging his performance. "He observed my tears and remarked, 'Why are you crying? You did so well.' He then embraced me and presented me with Rs 500 as a gesture of appreciation. My mind remained immersed in the character's world for several minutes thereafter," Indresh recounted.

"Heeramandi," a series exploring the lives of courtesans in Lahore's red-light district during undivided India, marks Bhansali's debut in the world of television. Apart from Indresh Malik, the series features a stellar cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chaddha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal.