Fardeen Khan, the charismatic actor who won hearts with his performances in the early 2000s, has made a triumphant return to the screen after a 12-year hiatus. In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, Fardeen shared insights about his comeback in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-anticipated series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Khan plays the role of Wali Mohammed in the series, though his screen time is notably limited.

Reflecting on his brief presence in the series, Fardeen revealed, "It's better to leave them feeling that they wanted to see more (laughs). I was told I had about 8-10 scenes right from the start but one scene of mine didn't make it, which I wish it had. That was a special scene which I enjoyed doing."

He expressed immense admiration for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, describing the experience of working with the acclaimed filmmaker as an honor. "It was a privilege to work with him. Directed by Bhansali, working for his banner was the most ambitious project that was being released worldwide," Fardeen noted. He emphasized that the collaboration instilled confidence in him and reaffirmed his faith in his acting abilities after such a long break. The positive feedback from fans, friends, and the media further boosted his morale.

Fardeen acknowledged the warmth and support he received upon his return, stating, "A lot of people from the media were just happy to see me making a comeback. This kind of support and encouragement is invaluable to me." He expressed gratitude for the love and recognition, highlighting how the industry landscape and audience have evolved over the years.

Praising contemporary film writing, Fardeen remarked, "The way films and protagonists are written and made while keeping the basics the same, it's a great time to be a part of the storytelling business. Platforms like Netflix, which have been pioneers in this new age of storytelling in the long-form format, are pretty special. In terms of content, the genres that people can write about, act in, and direct, it's a great time if you are a part of this storytelling business."

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar features a stellar ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal, Adhyayan Suman, Shekhar Suman, and Taha Shah Badussha. The series has already garnered significant attention, and Netflix recently announced its second season with a unique promotional video.

Fardeen Khan’s heartfelt words and the enthusiastic response to his performance in Heeramandi underscore his successful reentry into the entertainment industry, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.