Sanjeeda Shaikh Opens Up About Shooting ‘Heeramandi’ Mujra Sequence on Her Period: Breaking the Menstruation Taboo

Actor Sanjeeda Shaikh recently shared a candid and powerful experience from the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. In an interview with Hauterrfly, Sanjeeda revealed that she performed her first ‘mujra’ sequence on the first day of her period, highlighting the importance of normalizing conversations around menstruation.

Sanjeeda Shaikh plays the role of Waheeda.

Despite menstruation often being considered a taboo topic, Sanjeeda emphasized the significance of being open about it. She recalled how the crew wrapped up her work earlier than usual once she informed them about her discomfort. “I have been very vocal about my periods on sets. I am somebody who would go to the director and say I am chumming,” she shared.

Sanjeeda credited her mother for fostering an environment where discussing menstruation was normalized. “My mother, when she got her periods, the first person she told about it to was her Abba. So when my mom said it to her father, then for me, it’s not a big deal to go say it to a director or producer or my co-stars. I just thought it was very normal,” she recalled.

Describing her experience on set, Sanjeeda said, “I shot for my mujra (Nazariya Ki Mari) for Heeramandi on the first day of my periods. For me, it gets really uncomfortable when I am on my second day. It gets difficult. But, I was so engrossed in whatever I was doing that I would forget all pain. But, they would pack me up early also. Because I told them there’s a little discomfort and if I rest a little, I will feel better the next day.”

She stressed the importance of expressing oneself, noting that if women do not communicate their discomfort, others may misinterpret their behavior. “You need to express yourself. If you won’t let them know, they will simply think you are very cranky. So, it is better to tell them why you are cranky in the first place. I also want to tell other women if you are not comfortable with the thought, get comfortable with it,” Sanjeeda advised.

Efforts to normalize menstruation conversations have been ongoing. In 2018, R. Balki’s film Padman, starring Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, and Radhika Apte, aimed to break the stigma surrounding periods. During the 2020 lockdown, celebrities like Aditi Rao Hydari, Dia Mirza, Sonu Sood, Sonam Kapoor, and Diana Penty participated in the Red Dot Challenge, an initiative by UNICEF to combat period shaming and encourage open discussions about menstruation.

Sanjeeda Shaikh’s openness about her experience is a step forward in breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation, encouraging women to speak up and normalize this natural aspect of life.