3 weeks ago
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Actor Taha Shah recently gained attention for his role as Nawab Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix show, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Despite debuting in Bollywood in 2011, Taha’s journey in the film industry has been far from easy. In an interview with The Week, Taha Shah Badussha recounted an incident where he ran behind Karan Johar’s car seeking an audition.
Taha Shah Badussha recalls how he secured a role in Karan Johar directorial Gippi
Taha shared that his determination led Karan to notice him, stop the car, and offer him water. “He saw me, stopped the car, and offered some water. He called me the next day to audition for the film Gippi by Dharma Productions. That’s how I got the role,” he recalled. Taha landed the role of Arjun in Sonam Nair’s 2013 film, Gippi. However, despite this opportunity, it did not significantly advance his career. He subsequently appeared in movies like Barkhaa, Baar Baar Dekho, and Ranchi Diaries, which did not bring him much recognition.
Taha Shah in Heeramandi
Taha’s Bollywood debut was in the 2011 film Luv Ka The End, directed by Bumpy and starring Shraddha Kapoor, produced by Y-films, a subsidiary of Yash Raj Films. Although his performance received praise, the film itself did not perform well at the box office.
Around the same time, YRF launched Ranveer Singh with Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), which became a hit and catapulted Ranveer to stardom. Reflecting on this, Taha commented, “Ranveer did an amazing job in the film. Also, the target audience was much larger. The film’s hyper-localisation (with its Delhi slang and locations) changed the way films were being made.”
Karan Johar has spoken positively about Taha, stating, “Taha has a strong screen presence that combines machismo and vulnerability. I am sure he will have a great innings at the movies.” However, it took years for Taha to finally gain significant recognition, which he achieved with Heeramandi. In 2023, Taha also played Saartaj in R Chandru’s Kannada film Kabzaa, starring Upendra in the lead role.
Taha Shah’s persistence and dedication to his craft have finally paid off, allowing audiences to see his potential and talent in Heeramandi. His journey reflects the challenges and perseverance required to succeed in the competitive world of Bollywood.
