Western audiences are finally getting to know Bollywood star Sharmeen Segal thanks to Netflix Constitution.
In the streaming Hindi drama, Segal plays Alamzeb (aka Alam), the youngest daughter of Manisha Koirala’s Mallikajaan, who, like her siblings, trains to be a tawaif for India’s ruling class.
Segal will come along Constitutionworked in Indian film and television since 2013.
(Full Cast of Heeramandi on Netflix – Every Main Character and Actor Appearing (Photos))
6 things you need to know about Heeramandi Sharmin Segal
Sharmin Segal went to American College
Although Sharmin Segal was known for her work in Bollywood, she came to the state for her education.
A native of Maharashtra, India, Segal crossed the Pacific Ocean to attend the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in New York.
Joining Hollywood icons like Sally Field, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern and Chris Evans as alumni of the prestigious acting school, she completed her course there in 2019.
Sharmin Segal comes from a family of filmmakers
Sharmin Segal is the latest of Bollywood’s creatives, born to film editor Bela Segal and studio head Deepak Segal.
And the lineage of Hindi cinema does not end there. She is also the granddaughter of noted Hindi director Mohan Segal and late film producers Navin Bhansali and Leela Bhansali.
He has even been able to collaborate with some of his family members who work in the industry.
Netflix movie Constitution directed by his uncle Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Working with his uncle, he told Times Now, “I just hope I’ve made him proud:”
“Today, under his guidance, I realize what a genius he is. He has brought out things about me and my performance that I never imagined I would be able to do. It is a privilege to be seen and guided from the perspective and eyes of a legend like Sanjay. After all, he is my uncle, I can change the fact that I wanted to guide me I never want to be treated in any special way I respect the creator too much.
Sharmin Segal was bullied as a child
Sharmin Segal has spoken publicly about being bullied as an adult.
The 25-year-old previously explained to India Today how she was embarrassed because she described, “really fat 13-14 years” adding that it continued through elementary school:
“I was really fat for 13-14 years of my life. There were kids at school who made fun of me from the age of 11 to 18 until I graduated.”
This included being forced to play a “caricature fat friend-type (male)” in a school performance that sticks in his mind:
“I did theater at school when I was 17, Meezaan was in my class. I had a final year show where they made me into a man. You know how they have caricature fat friend type characters? Meezaan was a doctor and I was his assistant.”
The five-foot-five actress revealed her “wasn’t confident” and believes that people should feel comfortable in their bodies regardless of size:
“People say body shaming and all that is wrong and you should be confident about your body, but I wasn’t. When I was bullied for 15 years of my life, I wasn’t confident. People have asked me: is it wrong to be fat and an actress?’ I said, “No, if you are happy and confident and can look in the mirror in the morning and say Haan main achchi lag rahi hoon, that is your personal choice.”
Sharmin Segal’s husband is not famous
Although Sharmin Segal hailed from a family with deep roots in Hindi television and films, she looked outside the bubble when it came to her long-term romantic partner.
Segal married Indian businessman Aman Mehta in November 2023, and the pictures made it online thanks to the actor’s prominent social media presence.
Not much is known about Segal’s husband other than that he spends his days working in the Indian financial industry and lives largely out of the public eye.
Balancing her new marriage with her budding acting career, she has said, “(he) takes each day as it comes” and knows him “husband is proud (of him)” (via Times Now):
“This is probably the biggest project I’ve ever done; I could have only dreamed of it! I’m just going to take each day as it comes after this and I know my husband is proud of me and will always support me.”
Sharmin Segal earned recognition for her first film
Fans may have just introduced Sharmeen Segal this year Constitutionbut he has been acting for over half a decade.
His Hindi film debut came in 2019 Malaalwhere he earned awards for his performance.
The film’s lead role of Astha Tripathi, a young girl who falls in love with a man living in Mumbai, earned Segal a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
When he lost to Ananya Panday (who had appeared Student of the year 2 and Pati Patni Aur Woh that year), it was enough to put the young star on the map and make him work even further in the Indian film industry.
Sharmin Segal is interested in directing
Before appearing in hits like ConstitutionSharmin Segal took a stab at directing.
Hailing from a long line of hard-working people behind the scenes of Hindi film and TV, Segal immersed himself in the family business working as an assistant director on films Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Mary Comand Bajirao Mastani.
All three projects were directed by Segal’s uncle Sanjay Leela Bhansali, helping the rising star get his footing in a directorial role.
Hot to watch Sharmin Segal online
Fans who want to keep up with Sharmin Segal online can do so X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Constitution now streaming on Netflix.
