Jayati Bhatia considers herself “blessed” to have been a part of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali universe, and being around the filmmaker was nothing but “pure happiness” for her.

The actor, who has been getting recognition for her character of Phatto in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, tells us, “I’ve learned so much just by being on that set. I remember when I did theatre, I’d get butterflies and I’d be overwhelmed before going up on the stage; I felt exactly the same roller-coaster ride in front of the camera during Heeramandi’s shoot.”

Amid all the compliments, Bhatia says getting praises from veteran actor Rekha meant the world to her. “During the premiere, Rekha ji was talking to my co-actor Sanjeeda (Shaikh), as I stood in the corner, totally starstruck as I had never seen her from such a close distance before. She saw me, stopped the conversation midway, came up to me and said, ‘Lo, hum toh aapke fan ho gaye’. She gave me a hug and pecked my cheek,” gushes Bhatia, adding, “She also complimented me for working on my character the way I wanted. It was such a beautiful thing to hear and I’ll forever be grateful.”

Meanwhile, Bhatia is aware of the backlash her co-star, Sharmin Segal Mehta is facing. Stating that Bhansali got exactly what he was looking for from Alamzeb’s character, the actor feels Mehta is being unfairly targeted.

“People are trolling her unnecessarily by digging up old interviews given during promotions. She’s a young girl, who doesn’t know how to sugar-coat her words. She’s neither trying to put down anyone nor make others think anything highly of her. She is a person with a pure heart and has nothing against anyone,” Bhatia ends.