Taha Shah marks Heeramandi's 2nd anniversary, credits Sanjay Leela Bhansali for life-changing role
Synopsis
Two years after Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar's Netflix debut, Taha Shah Badussha marked the milestone with an emotional social media post crediting Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the life-altering role. The actor revealed that fan messages about his character Tajdar Baloch arrive daily, underscoring the show's lasting cultural grip on Indian streaming audiences.
Key Takeaways
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar completed 2 years since its Netflix release in 2024.
Actor Taha Shah Badussha played Tajdar Baloch , a sensitive, romantic young nawab, opposite Sharmin Segal's Alamzeb .
Taha Shah credited Sanjay Leela Bhansali for casting him and providing a life-changing creative experience.
The actor reported receiving daily fan messages and fan edits about his character, highlighting sustained audience affection.
The ensemble cast included Manisha Koirala , Sonakshi Sinha , Aditi Rao Hydari , Richa Chadha , and Sanjeeda Sheikh .
Actor Taha Shah Badussha turned emotional on Friday as his breakout series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar marked its second anniversary since its Netflix release in 2024. Taking to social media, the actor revisited cherished memories from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the filmmaker for casting him in the ambitious ensemble production.
A heartfelt tribute to the series
Taha Shah shared a series of stills from the show featuring his character Tajdar Baloch — a sensitive, romantic young nawab — alongside moments with co-star Sharmin Segal, who played Alamzeb opposite him. In his post, he wrote: "Two years today… yet some echoes never fade… forever grateful to @netflix_in @bhansaliproductions for making me a part of Heeramandi's noor. Feels like yesterday when I first stepped into Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir's dreamlike world…"
What the role meant to him
The actor reflected on the collaborative experience on set, stating: "To work alongside such a stellar cast, to learn, laugh, create and grow together... those memories from set will always stay close to my heart. Playing Tajdar taught me love, grace, courage... and how deeply a soul can be felt without saying too much."
The enduring fan connection
Taha Shah highlighted the sustained audience affection for his character, noting that fan engagement has remained consistent since the show's 2024 debut. "Since then, not a single day has passed without feeling the love you all gave Tajdar. Even today, so many of you still write to me about him. The messages, edits, tears... I see them all," he shared, underscoring the character's cultural resonance.
The ensemble legacy
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar featured an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh. Taha Shah's portrayal of the sensitive nawab earned widespread critical and audience acclaim, establishing him as a significant talent in Hindi-language streaming drama. The show remains one of Netflix's most-watched Indian original series to date.
Point of View
The character's staying power in fan discourse suggests that Bhansali's period dramas, despite their opulence, succeed when they centre restraint over spectacle.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar?
It is a Netflix period drama series directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali , released in 2024. The show is set in the pre-independence era and follows the lives of women in a kotha (courtesan house) in Lahore, featuring an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala , Sonakshi Sinha , Aditi Rao Hydari , and Richa Chadha .
Who is Taha Shah and what was his role in Heeramandi?
Taha Shah Badussha is an actor who played Tajdar Baloch , a sensitive, romantic young nawab, in Heeramandi. His portrayal earned him widespread acclaim and sustained fan affection, with audiences continuing to engage with the character two years after the show's release.
When did Heeramandi release and how long has it been?
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar released on Netflix in 2024. On May 2, 2026 , the show marked its second anniversary , with actor Taha Shah sharing an emotional tribute on social media.
What did Taha Shah say about his experience on Heeramandi?
Taha Shah expressed deep gratitude to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the opportunity, calling it life-changing. He highlighted the collaborative on-set experience, the character's emotional depth, and the sustained fan love he continues to receive for playing Tajdar .
