Taha Shah pleaded with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, holding his hand: "Sir, please let me stay in this role."

Actor Taha Shah Badussha talked about the difficult audition process he went through to land the job. He gained notoriety for his portrayal of the tragic Tajdar in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Taha claimed that after first being thrust into the character of Tajdar's best friend, he was desperate to have any kind of involvement on the show. However, Bhansali noticed something in his eyes and requested that he try out for the Tajdar part instead. In an interview, Taha revealed that he had no idea that Bhansali had grander plans when he was informed he wouldn't be playing the best buddy role. As a result, he began appealing with the director to change his mind.

In an interview with the Urban Asian YouTube channel, Taha responded, "I actually signed on for a three-day role," when asked about his turbulent audition process. I spent fifteen months pursuing the audition, too. My friend and I practically cried and begged the casting agent to give us a chance at any role. Given that Taha claimed to have "nothing going for him," he chose to take on the small role in the hopes of making an impression on Bhansali and being invited to return for a later movie.