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Pakistan’s beloved actor Mahira Khan revealed that Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to cast her in his hit Netflix series Heeramandi 15 years ago.

During an interview with BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid, Khan, who said she was a big fan of Bhansali’s work, detailed that her childhood friend was getting married in Bombay, and Moin Baig who came up with the concept was in Pakistan looking for actors. Her friend, who was meeting designer Rizwan Baig for wedding clothes found out that they were looking to cast someone and suggested Khan, who was working as a video jockey at the time.

When the actor travelled to India, she had a last-minute meeting with Bhansali himself. The two met and “spoke lots” and Khan said the director was very excited for her to be a part of the project, which was supposed to be a movie. However, she could not star in the series due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Bol actor said she later met Bhansali when she went to work on Raees, her Bollywood debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan.

Earlier this year, the renowned director discussed his casting choices for the show and said, “At one point, it was also Mahira Khan, the Pakistani actor, then Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas. But then it all changed.”

Reflecting on her journey

Reflecting on the “crazy ride” that Khan said her audience travelled along for, she maintained that she felt more at peace with herself now.

“Nothing lasts forever, and this phase that I have been in for so many years has been so amazing, there will be another phase which I’m also looking forward to. Doing different things, going into a different zone of acting as an actor.”

Adding that she wanted to play the role of a single mother, Khan said that she still looked at herself and wondered if she would look the same in the future, or be able to dance in the rain or run in a saree.

“When I started, everything was a first, now it’s just so amazing to see — even with young actors I see it — that there’s insane opportunities […] The opportunities are endless, whether it’s for me or other people, it’s amazing.”

Talking about whether she was responsible for opening those doors for people, Khan acknowledged the people who came before her and made the journey easier. “But, yes, I was in this unique position where somehow I was given this opportunity.

“In the Pakistani industry — drama, film, everywhere — we are just a talented bunch of people. It’s about opportunity and what you’re blessed with.”

The actor further said that there were certain things she tried to implement in her life, such as working hard, being on time, and not tearing down others on your way to the top. She added that she came into the industry at a very competitive time but never said anything about anybody else, “not even behind closed doors”.

“I will not stoop down to that level. I will not go down that path, and today when I see success I make sure that I congratulate it. Because I wish people did that for me, not a lot of people did that for me when I was successful.”

Marriage to Salim Karim

Commenting on her marriage to Salim Karim, Khan said before meeting her partner she was a “snob” about men but affirmed that she was glad she didn’t settle.

“I think I fell in love with the man that he is.” She continued that liked people before him, before quickly amending that she did not “really, actually” like them.

“But with Salim, I remember meeting him and thinking I’d marry this man.” However, the actor maintained that she didn’t marry him for a very long time because she was scared.

“We all have our flaws, Salim is not perfect, I’m not perfect. But I am proud of the man that he is, and I’m very proud to be his wife. That’s a nice feeling to have — for every time I was good in life, for every time that I was kind to people […] it was as if God put it all together and blessed me.”

Khan said she had always imagined her life to be just her and her son Azlaan, which was the case even now, but their family dynamics had changed and there were other people in the picture.

Discussing her son walking her down the aisle at her wedding, Khan said “I was proud of my child. I wanted him to walk me down the aisle, so he did.”