Farida Jalal, Bollywood’s popular actress of the 90s and 2000s, was missing from the mainstream scene for quite some time. However, she came back in the spotlight as Qudsia Begum with ‘Heeramandi’. Popular for her role of the mother and fun-loving grandmother in ‘Shararat’, Farida has worked in over 200 films in her career spanning four decades. With ‘Heeramandi’ getting renewed for a second season, we asked the star if she would return to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s show.

Speaking to IndiaToday.in, the actress said that one of her scenes was cut from the show: “The last scene of Alamzeb and Qudsia Begum in season 1, the bed scene, that scene ended up in the final edit. But that is not the complete scene. As per the original scene, I ask for my medicine after hearing about Alamzeb’s pregnancy, showing my will to live. Why was that scene cut? I want to know why?”

He added, “If they felt Qudsia should be alive, this is the right time. That situation did not arise, so I am not sure. It will be their decision.”

Farida Jalal also revealed that she had expressed her reservations about smoking and holding a wine glass as Bhansali had originally demanded. She explained how without any reasoning, Bhansali incorporated her demand and molded her role as per her request: “He never mentioned those scenes to me again. I think it’s a great thing for any actor to have a director like him.”

‘Heeramandi’ has become the most watched Netflix series in India till date. The show stars actors like Manisha Koirala, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Taha Shah in lead roles. Directed and written by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the show is available on Netflix.