"It has to be with the master Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir"
Taha Shah Badussha is not interested in coasting on looks or easy roles.
His breakout in Heeramandi showed how far preparation and precision can take an actor. Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali pushed him into a space where detail matters.
Badussha’s choices have been driven less by hype and more by how much a role demands of him.
That focus on doing the hard work, not just being seen, is quickly becoming central to how he is carving out his place in the industry.
In an interview with DESIblitz, Taha Shah Badussha discusses working on Heeramandi and debunking misconceptions about stardom.
The Demands of Performance
For Taha Shah Badussha, every role comes with its own set of challenges.
He said: “I think every role has its own obstacles and every character has their own growth.
“I do believe that a lot of the characters that you are blessed to play with have something resonating within you, so that’s the first part that you can find relatability in and then you find out what’s different about them.
“So I feel that complex side is something I really like playing and when you have to learn about a role, especially when you have to change your dialect and you have to change your physicality, I guess that’s definitely one of the hardest parts of any role.
“So I would have to say I love emotional roles.”
That balance between relatability and difference shapes how he approaches characters.
It also explains why transformation, whether through voice or physicality, stands out as one of the toughest aspects of his work.
Debunking Misconceptions about Stardom
Taha Shah Badussha’s early view of the industry was shaped by ambition, but it shifted quickly once he began training and working professionally.
Studying in New York gave him a broader understanding of filmmaking beyond acting alone.
He said: “I think when I first joined the industry, I was very lucky that I started off my education in New York and that gave me a well-rounded understanding of the film industry and filmmaking and acting and directing and all the different aspects put together to make one film.
“And I believe that the misconception that I had when I wanted to first start off was to be a star, was to earn a lot of money and almost show off with it.
“I think that when I first started acting.
“When I started learning about acting, I discovered my passion and the misconception was that good looks can make you a star but the truth is that it’s the craft, it’s your education, it’s your willingness to never give up, it’s your willingness to be stupid.
“So there are things to learn. So my misconception was that looks can take you everywhere, but that’s wrong.”
That realisation continues to shape Badussha’s choices. The focus now is on craft, consistency and learning, rather than chasing the idea of overnight success.
The Turning Point
A major shift in Badussha’s career came with Netflix’s Heeramandi and the opportunity to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The actor elaborated: “It has to be with the master Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir, who has chosen me out of nowhere and made me who I am today.
“So it’s absolutely Heeramandi and of course Netflix, which took it out to the world.”
This helped take Badussha’s work beyond Indian audiences and it also reflects how streaming platforms are pushing Indian stories into global conversations.
He believes Indians worldwide have “amazing stories to share” and predicts:
“I do feel that it’s becoming completely global in the next one or two years. I think it’s going to be massive.”
Choosing Roles and Ambitions
When it comes to selecting roles, Taha Shah Badussha considers more than just the script.
He said: “If you’re talking about the script and it is great, then yes.
“But many times, I’ve said no because it’s not just about the script. It’s about who’s associated, do you vibe with those people, is it something in the direction that you want to go in?
“I just did a film called Paro. It has a very hard-hitting social subject. It’s not a commercial film. It’s definitely a festival film.
“So, for such a film, when I heard it, I think that it was important.
“It is important for the audience to be aware that it’s still happening in places, even here of course, in India and if we can bring change to that, it is definitely something I would like to do.
“So it really depends on the people who are associated with it, but it also depends on the subject and you know the heart behind it.
Looking ahead, his ambitions remain wide-ranging as he hopes to work with Bhansali again.
Badussha explained: “He put me where I am in the world today and I would love to continue that relationship.”
When it comes to dream acting collaborations, it would be the “one and only Mr Shah Rukh Khan“, an actor who inspires him.
Internationally, Badussha would “love to work with Christopher Nolan”.
When it comes to dream roles, they range from historical narratives to global franchises.
He said: “I would say Bodhi Dharma is one film. It’s about martial arts and things like that. It’s about the origin of martial arts from the south, which then went to China.
“Another one would be something on the line of Lawrence of Arabia based in the UAE because I was born over there and it’s about the it’s about the seven kings.
“And another one is that I would like to be James Bond.
“I was recently again in London. I was discussing something with gamers and I have to say there’s one thing that was always in my mind. It’d have to be Prince of Persia. That’s definitely something that’s on my mind.”
He also remains focused on improving his own work. Watching his films is part of that process, starting with his own performance before stepping back to see the bigger picture.
Badussha said: “I think the first time around, if I am watching, I would keenly look at my performance because on set I would not be able to focus on that, as it has all been put together in the film.
“So I think first I would nitpick my performance and see where I can grow.”
“But again, I watch it a couple of times to understand the whole film.
“The second time, I understand more about the writing and why the director did what they did with the music. But the first thing is always about the acting.”
At the same time, he is aware that not every project reaches the audience it could. He pointed to Taj: Divided by Blood as one example.
“It was released only on Zee5 in India. I truly wish that series went global and was shown in other countries, as it would have been recognised even more.
“It did get a lot of love, but I wish it had reached further.”
There is a clear direction to how Taha Shah Badussha is moving.
He is choosing projects with intent, thinking about impact as much as visibility, and staying open to opportunities beyond India.
At the same time, he keeps returning to the basics, refining performances and learning from each role.
As more Indian stories travel globally, actors like him are not just along for the ride. They are shaping how those stories are told and who gets to tell them.
Watch the Full Interview
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