'Heeramandi' star Taha Shah Badussha talks comparisons with 'elite actors' Fawad Khan, Vicky Kaushal

In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Taha Shah Badussha, who essays the magnetic Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, spoke about being compared to actors who have already proven their mettle time and again. 

Acknowledging the prowess of these stars, when asked about being compared to Indian star Vicky Kaushal and Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan, Taha candidly admitted that, to him, looks don't matter, and it is talent instead that holds great significance. 

“I don’t know about the looks but I think performance-wise, they're both great actors," said the rising star while answering the query. "For me, looks don't matter. For me, the performance matters. So if they're comparing me to Fawad or they're comparing me to Vicky - girls are comparing me [in terms of romance] to Shah Rukh - what else do you want, man?" 

Addressing the fact that the comparisons are, in fact, high praise, Taha continued, "They're not comparing me to somebody else. They're comparing me to the elite actors. These are elite actors. And Vicky is my brother. He was my senior in Kishore Namit Kapoor (acting institute.)" Shedding light on his equation with Vicky, Taha furthered, "We're good friends. And, of course, he's seen me grow, I've seen him grow. And even at Kishore Namit Kapoor, Vicky was a great actor. And in my class, I was the top actor."

Reflecting on the acclaim garnered for his portrayal in Heeramandi, Taha reminisced, “It’s majorly been from fans. A lot of people from around the globe have said that the romance in your eyes reminds us of Shah Rukh Khan.” Such comparisons to the legendary king of romance, renowned for his emotive prowess, resonated deeply with Taha, reaffirming his dedication to his craft.

When questioned about the resemblance of his character Tajdar to Salman Khan’s iconic Prem, Taha revealed, “I think sir (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) wrote my character with a mix of both his characters from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas. And a little bit of his self as well because many times he’s like this is what I would do if I was there. So I think it’s a mix. And who doesn’t want to be compared to Salman and Shah Rukh? But I think my character Tajdar is like Prem. And Shah Rukh sir is my idol. And nobody can emote like the way he does.”

Taha's portrayal of Tajdar has won over many hearts, given that it is a character layered with complexities stemming from love and the struggle for freedom. His dynamic portrayal as the love interest of Sharmin Segal’s Alamzeb, a courtesan-in-training from Heeramandi's Shahi Mahal, captivates audiences as he navigates the delicate balance between personal desires and nationalistic fervour. 

The poignant portrayal of sacrifice and devotion in the face of adversity has endeared Taha’s character to audiences worldwide. With his ability to evoke raw emotions and his humility in acknowledging the influence of Indian and Pakistani icons, Taha continues to carve his niche in the industry, captivating hearts with each performance. 

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