Sanjay Leela Bhansali to Launch Niece For His Next Production

Sharmin Segal. 

(Photo: Canva/The Quint)

Leading filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to launch a fresh face in the industry, one which he has personally groomed and trained to face the big screen.

This newcomer is none other than Bhansali’s own niece, Sharmin Segal, who is his sister - Bela Segal's daughter.

The decision to launch Segal was announced by Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions Pvt Ltd who said: “In a time where character roles are more mainstream and audiences crave pure pleasure of story..launching and promoting new talent felt right as newness is the only change. With Sharmin’s launch, we at BPPL are just being true to SLB’s vision and we have signed her for three films.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali with his niece, Sharmin Segal. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@sharminsegal)

The director has reportedly signed Segal to be the leading lady in his next film. If reports are to be believed, Segal’s debut will be alongside another debutant, Javed Jafferi's son, Meezaan Jaaferi and the film will mostly release in the second half of 2019.

Meezaan had worked as an assistant director in Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani.

Excited about her debut, Segal told the media:

“When I decided to become an actor what excited me the most was the idea that I would feel emotions and experience experiences I wouldn’t normally have everyday. I’m happy that this launch has allowed me to do that, making it a difficult but still fulfilling experience.”

This isn’t the first time Bhansali will be launching two newbies as leads in his film. The director had launched star-kids Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in his 2007 film Saawariya.