Exclusive- Heeramandi's Jason Shah on working with Manisha Koirala: I smacked her nose ring in a take and I was scared maybe I hit her nose

Jason Shah has been winning hearts for his character Cartwright in Heeramandi. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Jason got candid about his character, his chemistry with Sonakshi Sinha, scenes with Sharmin Segal, Manisha Koirala and more. He even shared some intriguing anecdotes about the violent scenes in the show.

He came to the set one day and I had just come back from Chennai, I was doing another film there. He came and he looked at me, he said 'you have become fat, you looked better before.' I was actually swollen, I was a bit puffy, I hadn't slept too much. He knows what he is looking at, he knows the final product. People would be like that's body shaming but I would say that any criticism that is taken with an open mind and a heart that understands that this is going to benefit you. That is how you mature. I went running the next day.

Of course, he had his input to add, in the Indresh scene he told me, 'stop being so dramatic'. I think because of the way I was speaking, I actually took that from 'Sound of Music' the way I spoke. So you take it with a pinch of salt and try to do better. I was actually quite nervous, I was nervous coming to the set because I was notified before that about the scene.

I knew it wouldn't come out vulgar, it would be aesthetically shot. But I have never been so up and personal with a man before. And he is older than me as well. Obviously, you want to be able to get the best chemistry and not to look like there is any fear. Cartwright is willing to go to any length to get the job done. And it came off beautifully. We had a few mins, Indresh and I sat in the vanity together, we spoke about different things, we were both giggly and nervous. He has children so it was something new for me.

Eventually, when we came on set we were just ready and we just went for the scene. Sanjay gave us a tweak that 'why don't you put your forehead on Indresh and rock him a little bit'. It came off quite well. And yes, it is definitely a growing subject all around the world, quite open in the West but in India, it is still getting voiced. There is much more to be addressed.

I had a crush, I have always thought Sonakshi shines. She has a glow. I think she is extremely confident and it comes off in Fareedan. I remember the first time I sat with her in the bedroom, saying 'kutton ne kiya', I actually looked into her eyes and I forgot my dialogues. I got stuck in one or two places, but she was so sweet and quite patient with me. She is always ready, and very professional that way. Of course, there were changes made to add the Urdu pronunciations.

Actually, first Sanjay wanted a very typical British-accented Hindi and I kept thinking about Lagaan and the dialogue '10 guna lagaan', we tried that in the beginning but then Sanjay let me do what I was doing rather than adding the extra accent. Though, we did try to keep it authentic to give it that little English curve.

I think I would have put dialogues for Cartwright in a way that it would create a little bit of suspense. I felt Cartwright's character in some places was a little dry with the words that he was using. There could have been a little play, to have the audience wonder who he is talking about. While Cartwright was quite explained there wasn't any suspense.

I love that scene with Malikajaan, Manisha is very quiet and she does her work. I respected her, we didn't even greet each other that much. In the beginning, I was a bit confused as I am so friendly but then I realised that is her way of working. Even in the slapping part, I was a bit worried whether I would hurt her. In one take I smacked her nose ring off and I was extremely scared. I just held my breath as I thought I hit her nose, but she then came and told me she was fine.